Feldschlösschen to concentrate its mineral water business 

Feldschlösschen Beverages Ltd. announced today that it will concentrate its future mineral water production on the two national brands Rhäzünser and Arkina, and will sell its bottling facility in Passugg, as well as the brand rights to the mineral waters Passugger and Allegra. Acquiring these assets is the firm Allegra Passugger Mineralquellen AG, which is currently being established. It will take over the business in Passugg as from October 1, 2005, together with eleven employees. As agreed by the partners, the purchase price was not disclosed. With its two national brands Rhäzünser (produced at a plant in Rhäzüns) and Arkina (produced in Yverdon-les-Bains), Feldschlösschen Beverages Ltd. intends to continue following a consistently forward-moving strategy. “In light of the fact that the Swiss beer market has been declining for the past fourteen years, it is essential that our mineral water business should represent a second, strong leg for us to stand on, and one which is in a growing market“, Thomas Metzger, acting CEO, emphasized. Feldschlösschen Beverages Ltd. is not only the largest brewer of beer in Switzerland, but is also among the top four producers of mineral waters here. In addition to its own water brands, it bottles the in-house brand Swiss Alpina for the retail group Coop. With the sale of Passugg, the production volume of mineral water will decrease by 7% to 1.2 million hl.