Anheuser strikes back at suitor

The takeover would create the world's biggest brewer

US brewer Anheuser-Busch is suing Belgian rival InBev in a move which is being seen as an attempt to frustrate InBev's efforts to buy the firm.

The lawsuit seeks to halt InBev's efforts to replace Anheuser's board.

InBev, best known for Stella Artois, is trying to pay $46bn (�23bn) for the Budweiser brewer.

Anheuser says InBev does not have solid financing and its Cuban operations could complicate efforts to operate in the US.

According to the lawsuit, InBev operates the Bucanero SA brewery in Cuba, which could not be managed from the US under the Trading with the Enemy Act.

Anheuser questioned InBev's claim that it would make Anheuser's hometown of St. Louis its North American headquarters given its Cuban presence.

If the takeover went ahead, the combined firm would become the world's largest brewer.

Anheuser-Busch said the offer, made in June, had undervalued the company, but added that it was open to consider any proposals that would provide full value to its shareholders.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version