Anheuser-Busch InBev sold a near 50% stake in its US-based metal container plants for around $3billion at the end of 2020.

A consortium of institutional investors led by private equity group Apollo Global Management completed the acquisition of a 49.9% stake in AB InBev’s US plants.

AB InBev will still maintain day-to-day control of its US-based can plants and also signed a long-term supply agreement to cover the company’s metal container needs during its relationship with Apollo.

Officials said the transaction will allow the company to create additional shareholder value by ‘optimising its business at an attractive price and generate proceeds to repay debt, in line with its deleveraging commitments’.

The global brewer has been burdened by heavy debt since its $108billion takeover of SABMiller in 2016.

The deal also gives Anheuser-Busch InBev the ability to buy back the minority stake in five years time, at pre-determined financial terms.

The Apollo group said the transaction presents ‘a unique opportunity to invest in high-quality assets with long-term, stable cashflows alongside the world’s leading brewer’.

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