Japan's Kirin Holdings will spend 198.8 billion ($2.9 billion) to take a controlling stake in major Brazilian beer and soft drinks maker Schincariol to expand its market share in the fast-growing South American economy.
Kirin said yesterday that it had bought all outstanding shares of Aleadri-Schinni Participacoes e Representacoes, which holds a 50.45 per cent stake in Schincariol, Brazil's No2 beer and No3 soft drinks maker.
The purchase of the maker of Nova Schin and Devassa beer brands was funded via cash on hand and loans and will give Kirin access to Schincariol's nationwide distribution network and 13 production facilities.
The move is part of Kirin's strategy, pursued over the past several years, to diversify its operations and grow outside its saturated home market, where it vies for the top spot in beer sales with Asahi Breweries.
Japan's beer market shrank more than 15 per cent in terms of shipment volumes during the last decade as the population aged, consumer spending sagged and drinkers opted for cheaper alcoholic beverages, leading firms to look abroad for profit growth drivers.
