Atras

SAB and Coca-Cola: A Proud Partnership

HeroAlthough SABMiller is known internationally for its beer brands, since the 1920s the company has claimed and maintained a stake in the soft drink industry. Over the past 90 years, SAB has grown from owning just a share of the Schweppes brand into one of Africa’s largest Coca-Cola bottlers.1

Despite the widespread turmoil caused by the Anglo-Boer War, by 1902 the South African Brewery Company emerged as the country’s biggest non-mining business. The next two decades saw SAB grow broadly and rapidly – not just into new territories, but new markets. By 1925, SAB purchased a large share in Schweppes, acquiring its own substantial glassworks to manufacture bottles, and thus establishing the company’s spot in the soft drink arena.

Amalgamated Beverages Industry (ABI) was formed in 1976 as a partnership between Schweppes and the Coca-Cola Company. Through the Schweppes holding, SAB originally held just 9% of ABI, but over the course of the next 28 years, this would change dramatically. By the end of 2004, SAB acquired 100% and ABI became the company’s official soft drink division.

2

SAB’s involvement in the soft drink industry has grown from strength to strength. In 2014, SABMiller announced that ABI – now South Africa’s biggest Coca-Cola bottler – would be undergoing a massive change. ABI would merge with Coca-Cola Company and Coca-Cola Sabco, to become the Coca-Cola Beverages Africa Company. The merger, subject to regulatory approval, makes the company the biggest Coca-Cola bottler on the continent, operating in nine countries.Over 120 years, SAB has grown from a single brand brewery, operating off the back of a barrow, into a globally recognised name, with huge stakes in both the beer and soft drink markets. Here’s to another 120 years – cheers!

#SAB120

HeroAlthough SABMiller is known internationally for its beer brands, since the 1920s the company has claimed and maintained a stake in the soft drink industry. Over the past 90 years, SAB has grown from owning just a share of the Schweppes brand into one of Africa’s largest Coca-Cola bottlers.1

Despite the widespread turmoil caused by the Anglo-Boer War, by 1902 the South African Brewery Company emerged as the country’s biggest non-mining business. The next two decades saw SAB grow broadly and rapidly – not just into new territories, but new markets. By 1925, SAB purchased a large share in Schweppes, acquiring its own substantial glassworks to manufacture bottles, and thus establishing the company’s spot in the soft drink arena.

Amalgamated Beverages Industry (ABI) was formed in 1976 as a partnership between Schweppes and the Coca-Cola Company. Through the Schweppes holding, SAB originally held just 9% of ABI, but over the course of the next 28 years, this would change dramatically. By the end of 2004, SAB acquired 100% and ABI became the company’s official soft drink division.

2

SAB’s involvement in the soft drink industry has grown from strength to strength. In 2014, SABMiller announced that ABI – now South Africa’s biggest Coca-Cola bottler – would be undergoing a massive change. ABI would merge with Coca-Cola Company and Coca-Cola Sabco, to become the Coca-Cola Beverages Africa Company. The merger, subject to regulatory approval, makes the company the biggest Coca-Cola bottler on the continent, operating in nine countries.

Over 120 years, SAB has grown from a single brand brewery, operating off the back of a barrow, into a globally recognised name, with huge stakes in both the beer and soft drink markets. Here’s to another 120 years – cheers!

 

#SAB120