In March 2004, AmBev, Brazil’s top brewer, merged with
Interbrew, a leading brewer from Belgium, to create the
world’s largest brewer, InterbrewAmBev (InBev). With
a portfolio of more than 200 brands and operates in 21
countries spread over the Americas, Europe and the Asia
Pacific. Interbrew and AmBev had many reasons to merge.
For Interbrew, the merger meant access to the Latin
American beer market, identified as a region with high
growth potential, where AmBev has a dominant market
share. Inbev believes that its combined portfolio of global,
regional and local brands in the industry placed it in a
strong position to fully meet market needs.
In 2003, Companhia de Bebidas das Américas (American Beverage Company or AmBev) was the
world’s 3rd-largest brewer, behind Anheuser Busch and Heineken. AmBev controlled more than
70% of the Brazilian beer market, with brands such as Antarctica, Brahma, and Skol. AmBev also
sold its products in Argentina, Uruguay and Venezuela. Under license agreements, AmBev brewed
popular beers such as Carlsberg, Heineken and Miller in the Latin American market. AmBev was also
expanding its presence in the soft drinks market, through a partnership with Pepsi to market the latter’s
products in South America.
Headquartered in Brazil, AmBev was formed in March 2000 when Companhia Cervejaria Brahma
(Brahma) and Companhia Antarctica Paulista (Antarctica) merged.
AmBev is the result of the merger between Brahma and Antarctica, two of the leading players in the
Latin American market. AmBev sold about 95 million hectoliters of beer in 2003.
Swiss immigrant Joseph Villiger founded Brahma Villiger & Co. In 1904, Villiger merged his company
with another Brazilian brewer—Preise Haussler & Co—to create Brahma. Over a period of time
Brahma became one of Brazil’s largest and most famous brewers. In the 1990s, Brahma broke tradition
by becoming a professionally-managed brewer. It became recognized as a top performer with a unique
culture. By then, Brahma had a national market share of over 40%. |
