Miller Coors Merger

EdWort said:

Icy Bullet Lite Rocky Mountain Less Filling Artesian Tastes Great High Life, eh!

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INTERVIEW-Modelo CEO unaware of InBev-Anheuser talks
06.06.08, 6:04 PM ET

United States -

* Talk of InBev bid for Anheuser-Busch remains a rumor

* Unaware of any talks between InBev and Anheuser-Busch (nyse: BUD - news - people )

* Modelo expects to be still independent in a year's time

* Modelo must be consulted in any takeover of Anheuser

(Additional quotes, edits, bylines)

By Martin Howell and Chris Aspin

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Carlos Fernandez, the head of Mexico's top brewer Modelo, is somewhat incredulous that his phone isn't ringing off the hook.

As chairman and CEO of Modelo, the maker of Corona beer, he is likely to be a critical figure in what may become the biggest consolidation of the global beer industry. But he says investors and bankers are not calling him with proposals.

"So far, no calls. Which actually I am amazed at. If the deal was pretty close, then I'd have some calls." Fernandez told Reuters in an interview.

Fernandez is not only chairman and CEO of Modelo, the world's No.7 brewer with a market capitalization of about $16 billion. He is also on the board at Anheuser-Busch Cos, the result of the top U.S. brewer's 50 percent stake in Modelo.

News reports in recent weeks that Belgium's InBev NV is about to bid $46 billion for Anheuser leave Fernandez, who started working at Modelo as a teenager and inherited the helm from his uncle in 1997, unmoved.

He says as far as he is concerned the talk of a deal is still nothing more than rumors, and he says he hasn't been told of any talks by Anheuser.

"If there are talks or not I am not really aware of it," Fernandez.

Fernandez said Modelo does not have any agreed option to buy Anheuser's 50 percent stake -- as a way of stopping itself being wedded to InBev in a deal -- though there are provisions for the U.S. brewer to consult it if it faces a takeover.

Modelo has a lot of options and will be examining them, he said. Asked whether he thought Modelo would retain its independence over the next year, he said, "Based on what we have seen today, yes."

INDEPENDENT?

Asked if the strategy was to remain independent, Fernandez said: "I can tell you today that we will continue working as we are working today, controlled by Mexicans, and going forward with our own strategy."

Fernandez also said that Anheuser hasn't called him to make any particular proposal. There is speculation in the market that Anheuser might seek to buy the rest of Modelo as a way of protecting itself against any hostile assault from InBev.

And, he says, consolidation of the industry could easily involve other major brewers.

Fernandez said that any consolidation in the industry was just as likely to involve SABMiller Plc or Danish brewer Carlsberg A/S as Anheuser and InBev.

"Who imagined a year ago that Miller and Coors were going to merge in the U.S. -- that was a play no one saw."

SABMiller won approval Thursday for its plan to combine its U.S. operations, the country's second largest, with No.3 Molson Coors Brewing Co. (nyse: TAP - news - people )

Last October, SABMiller and Molson Coors said they would combine their U.S. operations to create a business that would have annual sales of $6.6 billion, to become the second-largest U.S. market player behind Anheuser. (Editing by Leslie Gevirtz)

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Web site aims to block Anheuser-Busch takeover

A new Web site is trying to block the rumored takeover of Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc. by Belgium-based brewer InBev SA, playing on patriotic fervor to stop an iconic American firm from slipping into foreign hands.

The Web site, SaveBudweiser.com, encourages visitors to contact elected officials and Anheuser-Busch shareholders to discourage the deal. It features an online petition "To Save Our Beer," and claims to have more than 18,000 signatures.

"We don't want another American icon turned over to a foreign company; we want the motto to remain, "The Great American Lager," the petition says.

It is unclear who is behind the Web site, which says it is not affiliated with Anheuser-Busch. The site is registered and hosted by a company in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. The identity of the Web site administrators is not listed, and the administrators did not return an e-mail seeking comment.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported earlier this week the Web Site was launched by a couple in Florida who live near a member of the Busch family.

The Web site reflects discontent that has flourished since European media outlets published reports late last month that InBev might offer up to $48 billion for Anheuser-Busch. Concern has been particularly strong here in Anheuser-Busch's hometown, where the company employs 6,000 people and gives to a wide variety of local charities.

Both Anheuser-Busch and InBev have declined comment on any potential deal.

Analysts say it could be difficult for Anheuser-Busch executives to deny an offer if InBev makes it. InBev's bid equals about $65 per share for Anheuser-Busch's stock, a steep premium over Friday morning's share price of $57.81.

Still, the deal might become a political issue during an election year when voters are anxious about the economy and wary of overseas investment. That's clearly a sentiment being stoked by the site.

"Anheuser-Busch is a huge supporter of our military and their families both here and abroad and is ranked in the 'Top 50 Military-Friendly Employers,'" the site says. "Recently in the news, talks of a hostile take over of the company have been prevalent. Lets band together as one voice and try to save more than just our beer."

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To: Anheuser-Busch

Since 1852 Anheuser-Busch has been an American Owned and operated business. In addition to great tasting beer, this company has provided thousands of domestic jobs as well as millions of dollars in charitable donations to nonprofit organizations, disaster relief and has a long history of environmental awareness. Anheuser-Busch is a huge supporter of our military and their families both here and abroad and is ranked in the ‘Top 50 Military-Friendly Employers’.

Recently in the news, talks of a hostile take over of the company have been prevalent. Let’s band together as one voice and try to save more than just our beer. We don’t want another American icon turned over to a foreign company; we want the motto to remain…The Great American Lager.

Sincerely,

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