Carlos Brito, CEO of Anheuser-Busch InBev. Image courtesy of Anheuser-Busch InBev ®
Rumours of AB InBev, which is one of the largest beverage companies in the world, acquiring the remaining 50 per cent of Grupo Modelo, which controls about 63 per cent of the Mexican beer market and has made significant in-roads into the Canadian market with help from AB InBev and Molson Coors Brewing, which has been a partner in the importing and distribution of Corona for years, are not new. What this means to Molson Coors’ role in Grupo Modelo’s distribution and marketing in Canada is anybody’s guess, but with AB InBev about to take a controlling interest in the Mexican brewery, it’s no stretch to imagine Molson Coors’ role being diminished or outright eliminated over time.
“Grupo Modelo has been one of our most important partners for more than 20 years and we are very pleased to evolve our long and successful relationship into this combination,” said Carlos Brito, CEO of AB InBev, in a statement. “There is tremendous opportunity from combining two leading brand portfolios and further expanding Grupo Modelo’s brands worldwide through AB InBev’s extensive global distribution network.”
AB InBev expects to close the deal during the first quarter of 2013.