MELBOURNE, Dec 29 (Reuters) - Japanese beer maker Asahi Breweries may enter the Australian alcoholic drinks sector through a partnership with Foster's Group, The Age newspaper said on Monday.
Asahi was likely to wait until Foster's, which already distributes Asahi beer, completes a review of its operations, expected in February, the paper said. The review may recommend a demerger of the wine and beer businesses.
If the beer business was spun off, Asahi is believed to be considering a partnership beyond the distribution contract, the article said, without giving a source.
On Wednesday, British confectionery maker Cadbury Plc agreed to sell its Australian beverage business to Asahi for 550 million pounds. See story.
(Reporting by Miranda Maxwell) Keywords: ASAHI FOSTERS/ (miranda.maxwell@reuters.com; Reuters Messaging: miranda.maxwell.reuters.com@reuters.net; +61-3 9286-1464) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2008. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.
Asahi was likely to wait until Foster's, which already distributes Asahi beer, completes a review of its operations, expected in February, the paper said. The review may recommend a demerger of the wine and beer businesses.
If the beer business was spun off, Asahi is believed to be considering a partnership beyond the distribution contract, the article said, without giving a source.
On Wednesday, British confectionery maker Cadbury Plc agreed to sell its Australian beverage business to Asahi for 550 million pounds. See story.
(Reporting by Miranda Maxwell) Keywords: ASAHI FOSTERS/ (miranda.maxwell@reuters.com; Reuters Messaging: miranda.maxwell.reuters.com@reuters.net; +61-3 9286-1464) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2008. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.