SABMiller joins forces with Turkey's Efes

SABMiller, the world’s second-largest brewer, and Turkey-based Anadolu Efes are joining forces to expand their beer & beverage businesses in the markets of Turkey, Russia, the CIS, Central Asia and the Middle East.

The strategic alliance which involves a share exchange will give London-based SABMiller 24 percent of Anadolu Efes and create a “strong number two position” in the Russian business and provide for savings of up to US$120 million a year. SABMiller will also transfer its Russian and Ukrainian beer businesses to Anadolu Efes.