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Richard Rushton replaces Bagattini in SAB India

Boby Kurian

BANGALORE, Oct. 11

THE $4.2-billion South African Breweries (SAB) has changed its top guard in India. Mr Roy Bagattini, Managing Director of SAB India Ltd, is being replaced by Mr Richard Rushton, who currently heads the brewery major's Botswana operations.

Mr Bagattini is being shifted to look after SAB's China operations and is expected to move out in a couple of weeks time. When contacted, Mr Bagattini confirmed the development. SAB has ``very matured'' brewery interests in China, which is tipped to emer ge as the biggest global beer market by 2003. SAB is the fifth largest global brewery with operations spread across 22 countries.

Mr Bagattini guided SAB's Indian operations since its foray into domestic market almost two years ago. The brewing company has committed Rs 600 crore investments in India during the first phase of expansion. SAB has so far announced two acquisitions -- M ysore Breweries Ltd and Narang Breweries -- providing it with access to three breweries in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Karnataka. It kicked off commercial operations by launching the Three Lions beer brand in Lucknow last month.

SAB also entered into a strategic alliance with Himneel brewery in Himachal Pradesh and is closing in on at least two other brewery acquisitions in India. Reliable sources indicate that it has completed the due diligence of Ruchi brewery in Rajastan and is also on the prowl for acquisitions in beer markets such as Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

SAB, which is eyeing between 20 and 30 per cent market share in India, is in the race to acquire 26 per cent stake in the leading domestic beer company, UB Ltd.