PETALING JAYA: Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Bhd
says it will be business as usual after its parent, Carlsberg A/S (Carlsberg Group) entered into a strategic joint venture (JV) with Japan’s Sapporo Breweries Ltd covering operations in Malaysia and other South-East Asian markets.
In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, Carlsberg Malaysia outlined the impact of the partnership, saying it extends the brewer’s exclusive rights to produce and distribute Sapporo Premium Beer in Malaysia on a perpetual basis.
“There will be no changes to day-to-day business operations, customer relationships or existing commercial arrangements as a result of Carlsberg Group’s announcement,” it noted.
Under the agreement, Carlsberg Group, which owns a 51% stake in Carlsberg Malaysia, will establish a regional JV with Sapporo.
The group will retain a 75% stake and full operational control, while receiving US$643mil in cash from Sapporo for a 25% interest in the venture.
The partnership builds on Carlsberg Group and Sapporo’s collaboration on the sale of Sapporo Premium Beer in Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong since 2024, and extends it to Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.
Upon completion of the transaction, Sapporo will grant the JV perpetual exclusive rights to produce, market, distribute and sell Sapporo Premium Beer across these markets.
In a statement, Carlsberg Group said the US$643mil represents a 2025 earnings before interest and tax multiple of 21.3 times.
It intends to use the proceeds to repay debt and for general corporate purposes, while continuing to consolidate the JV’s financial results.
Separately, Carlsberg Group and Sapporo have also entered into a strategic partnership in the United Kingdom.
