Acquisition in Switzerland

Heineken announces the tendering of 96.54 per cent* of all shares in the newly formed Eichhof Getränke Holding AG.

The tender offer for the beverage division of Eichhof was completed after approval of the Swiss Competition Commission in August.

The beverage division comprises the production and distribution of beers, non-alcoholic beverages and wine and employs approximately 450 people. The company is the owner of the Eichhof brewery in Lucerne, which has a production capacity of 400,000 hectolitres. Its main brand, Eichhof, is the leading mainstream beer in the Lucerne region. The company has an estimated 10 per cent market share of the Swiss beer market. Soft drinks and wine account for 45 per cent of total volumes.

*
Increased to 100 per cent in December 2008.