ABInBev Warns of Thousands of Merger-Related Job Losses

By Laurence Norman 

Belgium's Anheuser-Busch InBev NV warned Friday its beer megamerger with SABMiller PLC could lead to thousands of job losses in coming years, according to documents related to the transaction.

The company said that around 3% of the total workforce of the combined group could be laid off, but said "job reductions will be implemented gradually, in phases, over a three-year period following" the completion of the merger.

AB InBev says it currently employs around 150,000 people while SABMiller puts its workforce at around 70,000.

AB InBev said the 3% figure excludes sales and front-office supply staff. The company said it wasn't able to advance its integration plans for the workforce in those position because of regulatory restrictions.

AB InBev said last month it continues to work to close the $100 billion-plus merger deal this year. Acquiring SABMiller would give it access to the fast-growing African beer market and reduce its reliance on the U.S.

Write to Laurence Norman at [e-mail]

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

August 26, 2016 05:20 ET (09:20 GMT)

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