InBev buyout hits close to home for some RU students
Bryan Jackson
Issue date: 9/3/08 Section: News
One of the biggest business headlines this summer was the well-documented buyout of Anheuser-Busch by Belgian brewing company InBev. The deal still has to gain approval from the U.S. Justice Department, but the $52 billon deal is likely to become official and integration of the two brewing giants will probably begin to take place before the new year. InBev, most known for its brews like Stella Artois and Beck's, had been courting the American brewing company for most of 2008 and a deal was finally reached in mid-July, making the now-merged company the largest brewer in the world.
The deal sent shockwaves throughout the country, most notably in St. Louis, the headquarters and largest of Anheuser-Busch's breweries. One of America's iconic companies would now be owned by a foreign company. Many questions were raised by the buyout. Many wondered if and how many jobs would be lost? Would any of the 12 Anheuser-Busch breweries close all-together? What effect would this have on the economy? Rockhurst junior Alex Primo considered the implications if InBev were to move their headquarters out of St. Louis and out of the country.
"This would be a giant blow to St. Louis due to job loss, and of course put a huge dent in the local and national economy," commented Primo.
Carlos Brito, the Chief Executive of InBev and CEO of the new company, assures that none of the 12 breweries throughout the U.S. will be closed. Brito goes on to explain that he hopes to expand Budweiser into the European, Asian, and Latin American markets. Rockhurst sophomore Phil Bennett tends to agree with Brito and is excited about what InBev can bring to Anheuser-Busch.
"This merger may expand Anheuser-Busch products to the world-wide level, increasing opportunities for marketing and growth," noted Bennett. "I am personally very excited to see and hear of the improvements InBev brings to the American beer market in the coming years."
It seems as though most people, including students here at Rockhurst, are coming to terms with the buyout. However, if there is one thing students are concerned about, it is the tradition of Anheuser-Busch, and whether or not it will continue under InBev. This summer, Rockhurst senior Kevin Becvar had the opportunity to work at the Anheuser-Busch brewery in St. Louis as a tour guide. Becvar said it was the greatest job of his life, and that the news of the buyout genuinely shocked himself and his co-workers. Becvar hopes that the new company will continue to stress the "quality" that has come to be expected from Anheuser-Busch.
The deal sent shockwaves throughout the country, most notably in St. Louis, the headquarters and largest of Anheuser-Busch's breweries. One of America's iconic companies would now be owned by a foreign company. Many questions were raised by the buyout. Many wondered if and how many jobs would be lost? Would any of the 12 Anheuser-Busch breweries close all-together? What effect would this have on the economy? Rockhurst junior Alex Primo considered the implications if InBev were to move their headquarters out of St. Louis and out of the country.
"This would be a giant blow to St. Louis due to job loss, and of course put a huge dent in the local and national economy," commented Primo.
Carlos Brito, the Chief Executive of InBev and CEO of the new company, assures that none of the 12 breweries throughout the U.S. will be closed. Brito goes on to explain that he hopes to expand Budweiser into the European, Asian, and Latin American markets. Rockhurst sophomore Phil Bennett tends to agree with Brito and is excited about what InBev can bring to Anheuser-Busch.
"This merger may expand Anheuser-Busch products to the world-wide level, increasing opportunities for marketing and growth," noted Bennett. "I am personally very excited to see and hear of the improvements InBev brings to the American beer market in the coming years."
It seems as though most people, including students here at Rockhurst, are coming to terms with the buyout. However, if there is one thing students are concerned about, it is the tradition of Anheuser-Busch, and whether or not it will continue under InBev. This summer, Rockhurst senior Kevin Becvar had the opportunity to work at the Anheuser-Busch brewery in St. Louis as a tour guide. Becvar said it was the greatest job of his life, and that the news of the buyout genuinely shocked himself and his co-workers. Becvar hopes that the new company will continue to stress the "quality" that has come to be expected from Anheuser-Busch.
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