Aurora Brasov, 2m euros for SAB Miller

The second leading player on the domestic beer market, Compania de Bere Romania, the domestic branch of world’s number three brewer, SAB Miller, increased its share capital by more than two million euros at the end of last year after acquiring the Aurora Brasov brewery. SAB Miller at the end of last year acquired majority in Aurora Brasov, one of the market performers, for 20 million dollars (16 million euros). The deal helped SAB Miller become the number two on the Romanian beer market and added the PET-bottled products to its portfolio, introduced for the first time in the company’s European operations. Ursus, Timisoreana Lux, Aurora and Ciucas are the most important brands of the company. SAB Miller has four beer factories in Timisoara, Buzau, Cluj and Brasov, employs 1,300 people and accounts for 22% of the market. The total production capacity is of 3 million hectolitres. It posted 15% sales growth compared with 2003, higher than the overall industry’s growth. ZF