Anheuser Busch Inbev (Sabmiller) India Limited Unlisted Shares

Anheuser Busch Inbev India Limited (formerly known as SABMiller India Limited) (“the Parent Company”), formerly SKOL Breweries Limited, was incorporated as a private limited company under the Companies Act, 1956 on 18 November 1988. Its parent company is SABMiller Asia BV and the ultimate holding company is Anheuser Busch InBev SA/NV.

The Company is primarily engaged in the business of brewing, packaging distribution, marketing, and sale of beer. The Parent Company together with its subsidiary, SPR Distilleries Private Limited, is referred to as “the Group”.

Anheuser Busch InBev SA/NV (Ultimate Holding Company)

(i) It is the largest beer-making company in the world. AB InBev produces one in four beers around the world. It sells beer under popular brands such as Budweiser, Corona, and Stella. It has headquartered in Belgium.

(ii) AB InBev is the second biggest player in India’s 28k Cr beer market, accounting for a 20% percent market share. The rival United Breweries, the top brand in India, which sells Kingfisher, holds a 50% market share. However, AB InBev has more than 65% share in the premium segment, with a portfolio that includes Stella Artois, Leffe, and Corona.

Recent News:

(i) In Oct-2019, the AB InBev has signed an agreement with hotel chain The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), to launch a chain of 15 microbreweries over the next five years to sell craft beer at the hotel chain’s top properties in India. With the rising culture of craft beer, this step will help the company to boost its revenue. In the craft beer segment, United Breweries recently launched Kingfisher Ultra Witbier while AB InBev has launched two wheat variants, Machaa and Veere.

(ii) In 2019, the parent company AB InBev has announced that they are looking to invest 1000 Cr over the next 5 years in its Indian operation. Apart from alcoholic drinks, the company is also focussing on Non-Alcoholic drinks. Recently, they have launched Budweiser 0.0 a Non-Alcoholic drink.

(iii) The top two beer makers in India i.e. United Breweries and AB InBev are expecting a single-digit growth in FY20-21 due to the curb of beer sales in Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka by Govt new regulations. These three states account for 1/4th of total beer sales.

Subsidiaries:

AB InBev had two wholly-owned subsidiaries i.e. SPR Distilleries Private Limited and Crown Beers India Private Limited. However, in the year 2018, both the companies got amalgamated in the parent company.