SABMiller to buy Dutch brewer Royal Grolsch

0 Comments | AFP, November, 2007

LONDON (AFP) — SABMiller, the world's third largest brewer, said Monday it has agreed to buy 100 percent of the Dutch peer Royal Grolsch for 816 million euros (1.194 billion dollars).

In a statement SABMiller said Grolsch supports its offer of 48.25 euro for each of the Dutch beer group's shares.

The offer represents an 84.3 percent premium to Grolsch's average closing share price over the last month, it added.

"Grolsch is an iconic Dutch brand whose rich Northern European heritage and premium positioning will complement and further build SABMiller's existing international brand portfolio," the Britain-based group said.

"SABMiller sees significant additional potential for the Grolsch brand across Africa and Latin America, where the premium segment is...