The Hindu Business Line : After jt venture, it's called Millennium Alcobev

MCDOWELL Alcobev, the new joint venture company floated between the UB group and Scottish & New Castle will soon go back to functioning under its old name — Millennium Alcobev.

According to Mr Ravi Jain, Managing Director, McDowell Alcobev, "it was for the purpose of forming the joint venture that we decided to change the name of the company but once that is over we will go back to our original name. After all, the joint venture was originally formed between different companies with different names".

Recently, the company had intimated the stock exchange about its name change to formalise its joint venture company in India. At present, the equity shareholding pattern between its partners UB, S&N and Mr Ravi Jain is in the ratio of 40:40:20, respectively.

With the formalisation of the joint venture between the UB group, S&N and Mr Ravi Jain, the company will be expected to bring in the mild beer of Kronenbourg into the country followed by others such as John Smiths, Newcastle, Brown Ale and Baltika.

"We believe Kronenbourg has some potential in the Indian market and once it comes into distribution it will be handled by UB. However, the manufacturing could be done in any of our breweries having international standards."

Kronenbourg beer will be priced at almost a 20 per cent premium to Kingfisher, UB's flagship beer brand, while the existing brands of Zingaro and Sandpiper will continue to exist as strong and mild beers in the market. Its regional brands such as Kalyani Strong, Turbo, Bullet, Guru and Marco Polo will also continue in their respective markets.

"The rest of the beers belonging to S&N are mostly English beers and there is no such need to bring them unless the market is ready for them," Mr Jain said. Besides S&N is also expected to give a fillip to the Kingfisher brand in certain key markets abroad.

He added, "S&N will be offered a seat on the board of UB and the companies plan to share best practices in terms of beer production, technical standards brand development, marketing and international business practice". Poised to be the industry leader in the beer business, McDowell Alcobev along with UB Beer intend being twice the size of its nearest competitor touching 45 million cases.

Mr Jain added, "We are in the business of providing our customers with international quality beer. To achieve this, McDowell Alcobev has created a dynamic business which is unparalled in the alcoholic industry. With an experienced management team, an extensive portfolio of brands, strategic production assets supported by world class business practices, we have an organisation which is a sure winner".

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After jt venture, it's called Millennium Alcobev