NamBrew, partners unveil N$3b SA company

NAMIBIA Breweries, Diageo and Heineken have announced that their new joint venture company in South Africa will trade under the name of Brandhouse.

The new company combines the sales, marketing and distribution of some of the world’s top premium brands in this fast growing sector in South Africa. The formation of Brandhouse follows the acquisition by Diageo and Heineken of an effective 28,9 per cent stake in Namibia Breweries Limited which was announced to shareholders in April 2003 and completed in July 2003.Shareholder agreements for the joint venture were finalised in April this year following approval by the South African Competition Commission.The new company will have sales of around R3 billion (N$3 billion) annually.Brandhouse’s managing director, Simon Litherland, says the emergence of an influential consumer group in South Africa, who are trading up into premium brands has provided a great opportunity to create a new premium liquor business.”South Africa is an incredibly exciting market for us.In this sector the liquor industry overall has been minimal for some years now, but the premium sector is growing very fast.Through our unrivalled portfolio of premium brands and our global experience in this sector we are very well positioned to take full advantage of the opportunities the market presents.”We are very excited to be able to offer our customers a portfolio of brands that will satisfy our consumers’ needs across a broad range of premium occasions.”Brandhouse draws together some of the most talented people in the industry and over 40 of the world’s strongest brands into a new, re-engineered business structured for growth.Among its brands are premium beers including Windhoek, Heineken, Guinness, Kilkenny and Becks.Its scotch whisky portfolio includes global premium bestseller Johnnie Walker, SA’s market leader Bell’s, J&B, White Horse and Dimple as well as a broad selection of single malt whiskies.In other drinks categories Brandhouse also markets the biggest selling spirits in the world: Smirnoff Vodka, Jose Cuervo Tequila, Tanqueray Gin, Captain Morgan Black Label and Spiced Gold rum as well as Archers and the ever popular Archers Aqua and Smirnoff Spin.Bertrams VO Brandy, Cape Velvet Cream and Gilbeys Gin are brandhouse’s home grown brands.The company has integrated operations of its parent companies to create one sales force and one call centre for its thousands of customers across South Africa.The Brandhouse team has spent the last few months preparing for the launch to the market under the new name and is also playing a leading role in formulating the draft BEE charter for the liquor industry.The formation of Brandhouse follows the acquisition by Diageo and Heineken of an effective 28,9 per cent stake in Namibia Breweries Limited which was announced to shareholders in April 2003 and completed in July 2003.Shareholder agreements for the joint venture were finalised in April this year following approval by the South African Competition Commission.The new company will have sales of around R3 billion (N$3 billion) annually.Brandhouse’s managing director, Simon Litherland, says the emergence of an influential consumer group in South Africa, who are trading up into premium brands has provided a great opportunity to create a new premium liquor business.”South Africa is an incredibly exciting market for us.In this sector the liquor industry overall has been minimal for some years now, but the premium sector is growing very fast.Through our unrivalled portfolio of premium brands and our global experience in this sector we are very well positioned to take full advantage of the opportunities the market presents.”We are very excited to be able to offer our customers a portfolio of brands that will satisfy our consumers’ needs across a broad range of premium occasions.”Brandhouse draws together some of the most talented people in the industry and over 40 of the world’s strongest brands into a new, re-engineered business structured for growth.Among its brands are premium beers including Windhoek, Heineken, Guinness, Kilkenny and Becks.Its scotch whisky portfolio includes global premium bestseller Johnnie Walker, SA’s market leader Bell’s, J&B, White Horse and Dimple as well as a broad selection of single malt whiskies.In other drinks categories Brandhouse also markets the biggest selling spirits in the world: Smirnoff Vodka, Jose Cuervo Tequila, Tanqueray Gin, Captain Morgan Black Label and Spiced Gold rum as well as Archers and the ever popular Archers Aqua and Smirnoff Spin.Bertrams VO Brandy, Cape Velvet Cream and Gilbeys Gin are brandhouse’s home grown brands.The company has integrated operations of its parent companies to create one sales force and one call centre for its thousands of customers across South Africa.The Brandhouse team has spent the last few months preparing for the launch to the market under the new name and is also playing a leading role in formulating the draft BEE charter for the liquor industry.