AUS: Asahi Holdings to merge Australia units, alcohol boss quits

Asahi Holdings has announced a further streamlining of its business in Australia, with its alcohol and soft drinks set units to merge.  

The Japanese group said this week its alcohol arm, Asahi Premium Beverages, and its non-alcohol unit, Schweppes Australia, will be integrated into a "single operating structure", with one leadership team. The new business, to be called Asahi Beverages, will be led by David Beguely, formerly MD of Schweppes Australia.

Greg Ellery, CEO of Asahi Premium Beverages, has "elected to leave" due to the changes, the company said.

The group previously announced a restucture last October, when it brought its Schweppes business and alcohol unit together under the banner of Asahi Holdings Australia.

Under the new structure, Asahi Premium Beverages and Schweppes Australia will continue to trade as separate units. However, supply chain, finance, legal and IT, human resources and science & technology will be integrated. It is not immediately clear if there will be any redundancies as a result of the changes. 

Asahi said in a statement: “Integration will provide ... the opportunity to leverage the strengths of both organisations, positioning the business to build on its successes in Australia whilst becoming a more vigorous competitor as it continues to build its Australian presence.”

Source:  just drinks - 6th June 2014