Anheuser-Busch InBev and Grupo Modelo have announced that Anheuser-Busch InBev will acquire the remaining stake in Grupo Modelo that it does not already own for $20.1 billon.
AB InBev’s has an existing stake of more than 50% in Grupo Modelo. The combined componies will have an annual revenues of $47 billion and span 24 countries with 150,000 employees across the globe.
“Grupo Modelo has been one of our most important partners for more than 20 years and we are very pleased to evolve our long and successful relationship into this combination,” said Carlos Brito, Chief Executive Officer of Anheuser-Busch InBev.
. Grupo Modelo has imported and distributed Budweiser and Bud Light in Mexico for more than twenty years. The company has developed Corona into the leading import beer in 38 countries around the world and markets the brand in more than 180 countries.
Of importance here in the US, Crown Imports, the current importer of Corona will retain that role. Grupo Modelo announced at the same time as the ABinBev announcement that it will sell its existing 50% stake in Crown Imports, the joint venture that imports and markets Grupo Modelo’s brands in the U.S., to Constellation Brands giving Constellation Brands 100% ownership and control. As a result, Grupo Modelo’s brands will continue to be imported, marketed and distributed independently in the U.S. through Crown Imports on similar economic terms it receives today.
