Asahi Group Holdings, Japan’s biggest beermaker by volume, has identified beverage companies it may buy in Southeast Asia as it follows rivals seeking overseas growth.
"We are looking at Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines and Malaysia." president Naoki Izumiya, 63, said in an interview in Tokyo late on Monday. "We already know the targets."
The brewer’s push into Southeast Asia will give it access to markets where rivals post margins more than double that of Asahi’s, as Japan’s aging population crimps demand in its home market. A purchase will add to Asahi’s most acquisitive year as a strong yen boosts Japanese companies’ buying power abroad.
(Source: Jakarta Globe )