S. A. Damm Makes Equity Investment in US Beverage

STAMFORD, Conn., Nov. 29, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- United States Beverage, a leading importer of premium beers, announced today that it has accepted a minority equity investment from S. A. Damm, one of Spain's largest beverage companies.

US Beverage currently imports and markets Estrella Damm, INEDIT and Daura in the United States for Damm.

"I'm excited by this partnership particularly because I believe our business across the entire portfolio will benefit," said Joseph Fisch, President and CEO, US Beverage.  "The investment will provide USB with greater stability, market power and resources, enhancing our ability to optimize the position for all of our brands."

"Group Damm's goal is to be the leader in each sector in which we compete," said Jorge Villavecchia, CEO, S. A. Damm.  "In looking for access to the lucrative US market, we wanted to find the right partner, with a proven track record for building great brands. US Beverage has proven through their performance that they are the ideal partner for us in the US."

The USB management team will continue to manage all aspects of the company.  The company plans to increase its sales force in major markets throughout the US.

"Through a combination of smart marketing and focused sales, every brand in our portfolio has experienced double-digit growth year to date," added Fisch. "With the additional resources that we'll be adding in terms of increased personnel and brand spending, our outlook for 2011 is equally strong."

About S.A. Damm

Damm is nowadays one of the biggest beverage companies in Spain. The company has seven beverage production and bottling plants across the country.

In line with the diversification strategy initiated a few years ago, the Group bases its activity around three main areas: Drinks, Finance, and Logistics and New Economics. Beer accounts for the largest proportion of the group's business. This structure gives Damm, more than 134 years after its birth, a successful combination of modern and traditional values.

In 2004, in its pursuit of sustained growth and consolidation in the market, the Damm Group agreed on a strategic plan for 2004-2010. The plan comprised industrial investments of 241 million euros, the fundamental objective of which were to enhance and streamline the production capacity and develop the logistics installations.

Execution of this plan has enabled the company to double the production capacity of the factory at El Prat de Llobregat in Barcelona to 5 million hectolitres and turn it into one of the most modern plants in Europe. Similarly, the company has comprehensively invested in creating a large logistics centre of over 228,000 sq m at the ZAL industrial park, which is adjacent to the factory at El Prat de Llobregat.

With this strategic plan, the company aims to bring Estrella Damm, "The Beer of Barcelona," to markets around the world. This strategy is succeeding and Estrella Damm is now available in many bars and restaurants in several different countries, among which include relevant markets such as the UK, USA, Australia, Sweden, Norway, Italy and Germany.

About US Beverage

United States Beverage (USB) is a premium imported /craft beer sales and marketing company located in Stamford, Connecticut.  USB provides a national distribution network for a portfolio of premium brands, including: Murphy's Stout and Red Ale from Ireland; Tiger Beer from Singapore; The Grupo Damm portfolio of brands from Spain: Estrella Damm Lager, INEDIT, and Daura; Tona Cerveza from Nicaragua; Kalik from the Bahamas; Brasseurs de Gayant from France; and Spanish Peaks Brewing Co.'s Black Dog Ale portfolio of craft styles.

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SOURCE United States Beverage