The study aimed at identifying ways to optimize InBev Belgium’s activities. The study concludes that three types of activities would be subject to restructuring: production and logistics, marketing/sales/distribution and the supporting services. The changes under consideration are designed to result in a stronger focus on the core activities, and also in cost savings, which would in turn result in added value, quicker decision-making and improvements to efficiency, service and quality.
The proposed changes would have consequences for employment at InBev Belgium. Today, the concerned works councils have been informed of the changes under consideration and the possible impact on employment. In total a maximum of 232 employees would be involved in a redundancy procedure out of a total of 2898 InBev Belgium employees. However, InBev Belgium expects to be able to avoid at least 67 redundancies by transferring employees to functions within the new organizational structure.
Based on the conclusions of the study, InBev Belgium is starting today the information and consultation procedure with the works councils. After this consultation, a definitive decision will be taken and at the same time the final organizational and financial impact will be announced.
InBev is a publicly traded company (Euronext: INB) based in Leuven, Belgium. The company's origins date back to 1366, and today it is the leading global brewer by volume. InBev’s strategy is to strengthen its local platforms by building significant positions in the world's major beer markets through organic growth, world-class efficiency, targeted acquisitions, and by putting consumers first. InBev has a portfolio of more than 200 brands, including Stella Artois®, Brahma®, Beck’s®, Skol® - the third-largest selling beer brand in the world - Leffe®, Hoegaarden®, Staropramen® and Bass®. InBev employs some 77,000 people, running operations in over 30 countries across the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific. In 2004, InBev realized revenue of 8.57 billion euro (including four months of AmBev). For further information visit www.inbev.com.