Inversiones y Rentas, the controlling entity which has a 66.1% stake in CCU, is a joint venture between Quiñenco and Heineken, the Dutch brewer. Quiñenco’s indirect stake in CCU is 33.1%.
CCU, a diversified beverage company, draws from over 150 years experience in order to deliver its ample variety of beers, soft drinks, mineral waters, fruit nectars, wines, pisco, spirits and snacks to millions of consumers every day.
CCU is the largest national brewery with a market share in Chile of about 86%. Its main brands -Cristal, Royal Guard, and Escudo - are distributed the length and breadth of Chile, where they are the preferred choice of the Chilean beer drinking public. In addition to its numerous own brands, the company also markets renowned international brands such as Heineken, Budweiser, and Paulaner in Chile. Since 1995, CCU has been active in the Argentine market, where it commercializes the Heineken, Budweiser, Guinness, Schneider, Córdoba, Salta and Santa Fe beer brands. In 2008, CCU completed the acquisition of ICSA in Argentina, thus also commercializing the Bieckert, Palermo and Imperial beer brands in Argentina.
CCU also produces soft drinks and fruit juices in Chile, and is the largest bottler of mineral water. In these two areas, it produces own brands such as Bilz, Pap, Kem, Cachantun and Porvenir mineral water, as well as licensed names from Cadbury Schweppes and PepsiCo such as Pepsi, 7up, Crush, Limón Soda, Ginger Ale, Tonic Water and Gatorade. Expanding its presence in the water segment, during 2008 CCU launched Nestlé Pure Life, purified water, through an important strategic alliance with Nestlé.
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FACTS
ABOUT CCU
as of December 31, 2009
Quiñenco’s interest: 33.1%
Book value: Ch$161,600 million
Investment since: 1986
Employees (2009): 5,366
ADDRESS
Vitacura 2670 Las Condes
Santiago - Chile
Phone : (56-2) 427 3000 |
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Viña San Pedro, a CCU subsidiary, has made great strides to consolidate its position in the wine segment during the last couple of years. An important step was accomplished towards the end of 2008 through the merger with Viña Tarapacá, boosting VSP’s portfolio of domestic brands, particularly in the premium wine segment, and consolidating the group as the second largest exporter, now called Viña San Pedro Tarapacá.
CCU expanded its pisco business by entering into an association with Control in 2005. Cía Pisquera de Chile, 80% owned by CCU has captured roughly half of this market so representative of the Chilean culture.
In 2008 CCU also expanded its ready-to-eat business, through the acquisition of 50% of high quality snack company Nutrabien.
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