Molson Coors UK & Ireland to merge into Molson Coors Europe

Following the purchase of StarBev – producer of Staropramen - last June, Molson Coors is merging its new business interests (comprising nine Central European countries) with its UK and Ireland operations to create a “new business segment” in Molson Coors Europe.

While Molson Coors UK and Ireland will keep its offices in Burton-on-Trent, the new Molson Coors Europe is to be headquartered in Prague and will be responsible for some 38 per cent of Molson Coors’ global beer volume and some 30 per cent ($2.3 billion) of its global net sales.

“With a larger European footprint we’ll be able to negotiate better terms with suppliers, improve processes and integrate systems to increase efficiencies,” commented Molson Coors’ Chief Executive Peter Swinburn.

Mark Hunter, current Chief Executive of Molson Coors Central Europe, has been named Chief Executive of the new business. He had formerly been Chief Executive for the brewer in the UK and Ireland and as Chief Commercial Officer for Canada.

The current Chief Executive of UK and Ireland, Steward Glendinning, is to become Chief Executive of Molson Coors Canada when the current Chief Executive Dave Perkins retires at the end of January 2013 and a new Chief Executive for the UK and Ireland will be announced presently.

The new division will be operative from January 1st 2013.