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In-Brief

V. Suárez takes over distribution of MillerCoors brands

Three years after Molson Coors Brewing Co. and SABMiller PLC combined their U.S. and Puerto Rico operations into MillerCoors, the company has reached an agreement to consolidate the distribution of its brands through V. Suárez & Co., executives announced Wednesday.

The agreement concludes the long-standing arrangement the company had with Méndez & Co. in Puerto Rico. The financial terms of the agreement, which all three parties accepted, were not disclosed.

“At MillerCoors we’re pleased with the results of this negotiation and we thank Méndez & Co. for the years they dedicated to Miller,” said Javier Soler, vice president of MillerCoors in Puerto Rico. “We feel that the change and consolidation of brands into the V. Suárez system is satisfactory to all parties and allows us to consolidate our biggest brands with our main distributor on the island.”

“In the end, the three companies adjusted to the reality of the current beer market,” he said. “After a process of talks and negotiations, the three companies reached an agreement beneficial to all.”

V. Suárez will now take over the distribution of the Miller Genuine Draft, Miller Lite and Milwaukee’s Best beer brands.

MillerCoors is the second largest brewer in the U.S., and is the result of a corporate marriage between the two companies consummated in July 2008. In Puerto Rico, the company manages a portfolio that includes the aforementioned brands, plus Coors Light, Keystone V9, Peroni, MGD 64, Foster’s and Blue Moon.

Author Details
Author Details
Business reporter with 30 years of experience writing for weekly and daily newspapers, as well as trade publications in Puerto Rico. My list of former employers includes Caribbean Business, The San Juan Star, and the Puerto Rico Daily Sun, among others. My areas of expertise include telecommunications, technology, retail, agriculture, tourism, banking and most other segments of Puerto Rico’s economy.
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2 Comments

  1. Héctor Ramos August 19, 2011

    Do you have any information on who is keeping Guinness from being imported into the island? From what I’ve been told by local bar owners, Hacienda is refusing to grant any small business the license to import Guinness brand beer. Seems like they are holding it back in case any of the big importers such as V. Suarez wants to take over it, while denying everyone else from importing and selling it.

    Over the past few years, artisan beers have risen in popularity. Hopefully it will soon be enough of a market for a big brand to take interest in bringing Guinness back to Puerto Rico. Otherwise, can we please let small businesses import it, if V. Suarez and the rest have no interest in importing it?

    Reply
    1. mkantrow August 19, 2011

      No, but I will certainly look into it! Thanks for the insight and for your support to News is my Business.

      Reply

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