SAB19 Jan 2012 18:06
CONT
On 25 November 2011 SABMiller Africa BV disposed of its 20% interest (12% group effective economic interest) in its associate Kenya Breweries Limited to East African Breweries Limited for cash consideration of US$205 million.
During November and December 2011 two of SABMiller's African subsidiaries, Zambian Breweries plc in Zambia and Nile Breweries Ltd in Uganda, launched rights issues to raise approximately US$70 million each, and in January 2012 the group's subsidiary in Mozambique, Cervejas de Moçambique SARL, launched a rights issue to raise approximately US$40 million, in each case primarily to fund recently announced capacity expansions. The rights issues in Uganda and Mozambique remain open, and, following closing of the rights issue in Zambia, SABMiller Africa BV's interest remains unchanged at 87% (group effective economic interest unchanged at 54%).
With effect from 1 January 2012, the group and Castel implemented a number of organisation changes in their African operations as part of their strategic alliance agreement. The changes involve the combination of the operational management of the Castel and SABMiller businesses in Nigeria and Angola, with the Nigerian businesses being managed in future by SABMiller, and the Angolan businesses being managed by Castel.
On 13 January 2012, the group completed the acquisition from Coca-Cola Amatil Limited (CCA) of CCA's 50% interest in the group's Australian joint venture, Pacific Beverages (Pte) Limited, for cash consideration of A$326 million. Pacific Beverages is now a wholly owned subsidiary of SABMiller.
On 17 January 2012, the group successfully completed a US$7,000 million bond issue in four tranches: US$1,000 million 1.85% notes due 2015, US$2,000 million 2.45% notes due 2017, US$2,500 million 3.75% notes due 2022 and US$1,500 million 4.95% notes due 2042. The net proceeds were used to repay in part the bank borrowing incurred to finance the acquisition of Foster's.
In December 2011 the group announced the appointment of Ari Mervis (who had been Managing Director, SABMiller Asia since 2007) as Managing Director, SABMiller Asia Pacific and Chief Executive Officer of Foster's, with effect from 16 December 2011. The group also announced the appointment of Harald Harvey as Managing Director Asia, with effect from 1 February 2012. Harald will report to Ari Mervis and will oversee SABMiller's businesses in India and Vietnam, and its ongoing regional business development and export operations, as well as providing support to CR Snow.