Molson adds a second partner

Article Excerpt

Molson successfully merged with Coors in 2005. The merger let the company cut its costs and expand market share. It now aims to repeat this success with a new joint venture in the U.S. with SABMiller PLC, the parent of Miller Brewing. The additional cost savings will help Molson Coors offset rising prices for barley, hops, packaging and transportation. Lower costs will also help Molson Coors compete with larger brewers like Belgium’s InBev, which recently launched a hostile takeover offer for U.S. market leader Anheuser-Busch. MOLSON COORS CANADA INC. (Toronto symbols TPX.A $56 and TPX.B $54; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Consumer sector; Shares outstanding: 181.5 million; Market cap: $10.0 billion; SI Rating: Average) is the world’s fifth-largest brewer by volume. It operates mainly in the United States (58% of 2007 sales volume), Canada (19%) and Europe (23%). Molson Coors also exports its products to Latin America and Asia. Leading brands include Coors Light, Molson Canadian and Carling. The company took its present form on…