Quilmes Industrial Quinsa Societe Anonyme - Report of Foreign Issuer (6-K)

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

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FORM 6-K

 

Report of Foreign Private Issuer

Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For February 15, 2008

Commission File Number: 001-14278

 

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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

QUILMES INDUSTRIAL (QUINSA), SOCIÉTÉ ANONYME

84, GRAND RUE L-1660 LUXEMBOURG, GRAND DUCHY OF LUXEMBOURG

(Address of principal executive office)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F. 

Form 20-F x     Form 40-F o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Yes o     No x

 

 

 

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Quilmes Industrial S.A.

 

84 Grand-Rue  •  Luxembourg

Tel: +352.473.885  •  Fax: +352.226.056

 

CONTACT:

Guillermo Zuzenberg

Quilmes Industrial S.A. (Quinsa)

[phone]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

QUILMES INDUSTRIAL (QUINSA) , S.A.   RECEIVES NOTICE FROM NYSE OF SUSPENSION OF TRADING AND APPLICATION TO DELIST AMERICA N DEPOSITORY SHARES

 

Luxembourg , February   14 , 2008 –   Quilmes Industrial (Quinsa), Socié té Anonyme (“ Quinsa” ) was informed today that   th e New York Stock Exchange   (the “ NYSE” ) has issued a press release announcing   the suspension in trading of the Ameri can Depositary Shares of Quinsa (NYSE:LQU).

The NYSE announced that, f ollowing suspension, it would make an application to   the U.S. Securit ies and Exchange Commission to delist the issues.

The NYSE said it normally considers suspending and removing from its list the securities of a company when the number of outstanding American Depositary Shares, representing common securities, is less than 600,000.   Quinsa had advised the NYSE that 114,311 American Depositary Shares remained outstanding after the expiration of the public tender offer by Companhia de Bebidas   das Amé ricas - AmBev ("AmBev") .

ABOUT QUINSA

 

Quinsa is a Luxembourg-based holding company that controls approximately 93% of Quilmes International (Bermuda) (“QIB”). The remaining stake is held by AmBev.

 

 

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Quinsa, through QIB, controls beverage and malting businesses in five Latin American countries.  Its beer brands are strong market leaders in Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay, and have a presence in Chile.  Further, pursuant to Quinsa’s strategic alliance with AmBev, it has entered into license and distribution agreements to produce and sell in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay the AmBev brands.  Similarly, under the agreements, AmBev may produce and distribute Quinsa’s brands in Brazil.

Quinsa also has bottling and franchise agreements with PepsiCo, and thus accounts for 100% of PepsiCo beverage sales in both Argentina and Uruguay.

Quinsa’s Class A and Class B shares are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange (Reuters codes: QUIN.LU and QUINp.LU).  Quinsa’s American Depositary Shares, representing Quinsa’s B shares, are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE:LQU).

Quinsa’s web address : www.Quinsa.com

ABOUT AMBEV

 

AmBev is the largest brewer in Brazil and in South America through its beer brands Skol, Brahma and Antarctica.  AmBev also produces and distributes soft drink brands such as Guaraná Antarctica, and has franchise agreements for Pepsi soft drinks, Gatorade and Lipton Ice Tea.  AmBev has been present in Argentina since 1993 through Brahma.

 

 

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SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

Date: February 15, 2008

 

	By:	/s/ MIGUEL GOMEZ EIRIZ
		MIGUEL GOMEZ EIRIZ
		Chief Financial Officer

 

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

Statements contained in this press release may contain information, which is forward-looking and reflects management’s current view and estimates of future economic circumstances, industry conditions, company performance, and financial results. Any statements, expectations, capabilities, plans and assumptions contained in this press release that do not describe historical facts, such as statements regarding the declaration or payment of dividends, the direction of future operations, the implementation of principal operating and financing strategies and capital expenditure plans, the factors or trends affecting financial condition, liquidity or results of operations, and the implementation of the measures required under AmBev’s performance agreement entered into with the Brazilian Antitrust Authority (Conselho Administrativo de Defesa Econômica - CADE) are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. There is no guarantee that these results will actually occur. The statements are based on many assumptions and factors, including general economic and market conditions, industry conditions, and operating factors. Any changes in such assumptions or factors could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations.

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