USA – The world’s second largest brewer after AB InBev, Heineken has taken a minority stake in the Belize’s Belikin beer maker, Belize Brewing Company (BBC) as it seeks expansion into the Central American market.
Heineken entered a distribution partnership with BBC to import and distribute its brands including Heineken, Amstel and Red Stripe in Central America.
The transaction, whose financial terms and stake size were not disclosed, will see Heineken hold a minority control in BBC, a subsidiary of Bowen & Bowen Ltd (B&B) and a leader in Belize’s beer market.
“We are delighted to announce the new partnership with Belize Brewing Company and the Bowen family.
We recognise BBC’s strong capabilities and position in the country, which has a fast-developing tourism industry and stable GDP growth, and offers a lot of potential to grow our premium offering, led by the Heineken® brand.
We look forward to continue growing together,” said Marc Busain, President Americas at HEINEKEN.
The earlier part of 2018 saw the Dutch brewing company awoken on an expansion drive in Central America when it opened a US$500m new brewery in Meoqui, Chihuahua, the company’s seventh in Mexico with a production capacity of 6 million hectolitres per year.
Then, Jean-François van Boxmeer, Chairman of the Executive Board/CEO of HEINEKEN said Mexico was an important market for Heineken given a developing economy a rich geographical and demographic diversity and a flourishing beer sector.
Heineken announced in its first quarter results that beer volumes grew 6.8% in its Americas division with Tecate, Dos Equis and Heineken all performing particularly strongly in Mexico.
Michael Bowen, President/CEO at Belize Brewing Company Ltd, said: “We welcome Heineken as our new partner.
Heineken is a world-class family owned company that shares our values. We look forward to improving and growing our company with the help of our strategic partner.”
