NEW YORK: Apollo Global Management Inc said on Wednesday a group of institutional investors led by the private-equity firm would buy a 49.9% stake in Anheuser-Busch InBev’s US-based metal container plants for about US$3bil.
AB InBev has been burdened by debt after its 2016 takeover of nearest rival SABMiller and has made deleveraging a priority, selling its Australian operations and even trying to launch an initial public offering in Hong Kong for its Asia operations.
AB InBev separately said the deal would allow it to generate proceeds to repay debt and create shareholder value and added it would retain operational control of the plants.
The world’s largest brewer said it has signed a long-term supply agreement for meeting its can needs over the duration of the deal with Apollo.
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