The German newspaper Welt am Sonntag, via Reuters, is reporting that Anheuser-Busch InBev is back in the acquisition hunt, having significantly hiked their anticipated savings from “cost-cuts through synergies.”
Will they be after SAB Miller, then, as has been rumoured lately? I still don’t think so, their second place competitor being too massive a take-over so soon after the Anheuser-Busch deal. And neither do I suspect they’ll be going after any company with strong brands in regions they already have a presence, such as the Americas, the sole exception being if Modelo finally relents and sells to ABIB the 50% of the Mexican brewer they do not already own.
On the other hand, keep an eye on Sapporo in the coming months as the Japanese brewer hunts for a new acquisition in North America, likely a high-profile regional or craft brewer. The owner of Sleeman and Unibroue in Canada has had great success with their Canadian holdings and is apparently looking to solidify their position in the continent, likely south of the border this time.