“With the Anchor acquisition, we will have the capability to make and distribute beer in the U.S.,” notes Sapporo President Masaki Oga.
Last year, the Sapporo Group formulated the new Long-Term Management Vision “Speed 150” through 2026, the year marking the Group’s 150th anniversary since its founding. The vision set forth in Speed 150 is for the Sapporo Group to be a company with highly unique brands in the fields of “Alcoholic Beverages,” “Food,” and “Soft Drinks” around the world.
Regarding its “Promote Global Business Expansion” policy, a key driver of its group growth strategy, Sapporo Group is pushing forward a distinctive plan that designates North America its business base and the rapidly growing “Southeast Asian” region as its highest-priority markets.
In the U.S. where the Sapporo brand has maintained its position as the No. 1 Asian beer in the country over 30 years, the Group has been considering expanding its beer business through the acquisition of a new brand as well as further growing the SAPPORO brand, the company said.
Sapporo said adding Anchor’s strong brand power and network to the Sapporo Group’s US beer business portfolio through the conclusion of this agreement is expected to accelerate its speed of growth in the U.S.
Anchor’s beers are brewed in San Francisco, and will remain there, officials said. They added there won’t be any changes to their recipes, either.