September 1, 2005 -- High profile Australasian brewer Lion Nathan has announced an offer to take over the country’s last major family-owned brewing company, Coopers Brewery Ltd. According to a report published September 1 in the Sydney Morning herald, the bid Coopers at A$260 per share in cash, for a total of A$352 million.

The offer reportedly started to take shape when several shareholders of Coopers, an unlisted public company, approached Lion Nathan with a view to selling their shares. The Coopers board, which owns approximately 40% of the company, will meet to consider the offer.

It is estimated that, should the take-over be successful, the company’s combined brands combined would give Lion Nathan a roughly 65% share of the South Australia beer market.

Coopers managing director Tim Cooper said he was surprised by the offer, adding that Coopers was proud of its independence and strong support from beer lovers.

"Because we've made much of that fact, we don't want to lose that ability to say that we are an independent South Australian brewing company," he said.

Coopers brews several brands highly respected by beer aficionado’s around the world, including Coopers Sparkling Ale and Coopers Original Pale Ale.

Search The Real Beer Library For More Articles Related To: Lion Nathan, Coopers

Feedback?

We're very interested in your news, notes, comments and questions, so please feel free to contact SBWoB by clicking on the link below. Or you can add your comments when you sign up for the World of Beer Update, a mid-month e-mail newsletter that brings even more of the world of beer to your computer.

Send Feedback To: beaumont@worldofbeer.com