 Logo used since 2011 | |
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| |
| ISIN | NL0000009165 |
| Industry | Drink industry |
| Founded | 15 February 1864; 162 years ago (1864-02-15) |
| Founder | Gerard Adriaan Heineken |
| Headquarters | , Netherlands |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people |
|
| Revenue |  €29.821 billion (2024)[2] |
 € 3.929 billion (2024)[2] | |
| €978 million (2024)[2] | |
| Total assets | €55.069 billion (2024)[2] |
| Total equity | €22.402 billion (2024)[2] |
| Owner | Heineken Holding N.V (50.5%)[3] Charlene de Carvalho-Heineken (23%)[4] |
Number of employees | 89,264 (2024)[2] |
| Website | www |
Heineken N.V. (Dutch pronunciation:[ˈɦɛinəkə(n)]), branded asThe Heineken Company is a Dutchmultinationalbrewing company, founded in 1864 byGerard Adriaan Heineken inAmsterdam. As of 2019,[update] Heineken owns over 165breweries in more than 70 countries. It produces 348 international, regional, local and specialitybeers andciders and employs approximately 85,000 people.[5]
With an annual beer production of 24.14 billion litres in 2019, and global revenues of 23.894 billion euro in 2019,[6] Heineken N.V. is the number one brewer in Europe and one of the largest brewers by volume in the world.[7] Heineken's Dutch breweries are located inZoeterwoude,'s-Hertogenbosch andWijlre. The original brewery in Amsterdam, closed in 1988, is preserved as a museum called theHeineken Experience.
Since the merger between the two largest brewing empires in the world,Anheuser-Busch InBev andSABMiller, in October 2016, Heineken has been the second-largest brewer in the world.[8]
The Heineken company was founded in 1864 when the 22-year-oldGerard Adriaan Heineken bought a brewery known as De Hooiberg (the haystack) inAmsterdam. In 1869 Heineken switched to the use ofbottom-fermenting yeast. In 1873 the brewery's name changed to Heineken's Bierbrouwerij Maatschappij (HBM), and opened a second brewery inRotterdam in 1874. In 1886Dr. H. Elion, a pupil of the FrenchchemistLouis Pasteur, developed the "Heineken A-yeast" in the Heineken laboratory. Thisyeast is still the key ingredient of Heineken beer.
The founder's son,Henry Pierre Heineken, managed the company from 1917 to 1940, and continued involvement with the company until 1951. During his tenure, Heineken developed techniques to maintain consistent beer quality during large-scale production.
AfterWorld War I, the company focused more and more on exports. Three days afterProhibition ended in the United States, the first Heineken shipment landed in New York. From that day on, Heineken has remained one of the most successful imported beer brands in the United States.
On 1 June 1941, Henry Pierre's son,Alfred Henry "Freddy" Heineken, entered the service of the Heineken company, which by then was no longer owned by the family. Freddy bought back stock several years later, to ensure the family controlled the company again, and in 1971 was appointed chairman of the executive board. He was a powerful force behind Heineken's continued global expansion, and while he retired from the executive board in 1989, he maintained involvement with the company until his death in 2002.
During this period, Heineken tried to increase its stock price by purchasing competing breweries and closing them down. AfterWorld War II, many small breweries were bought or closed. In 1968 Heineken merged with its biggest competitor,Amstel, and in 1975 opened a new brewery inZoeterwoude. The Amstel brewery was closed in 1980, and its production moved to Zoeterwoude andDen Bosch.
Since mid-2007, Heineken has taken ownership of former S&N International brands such asStrongbow andBulmers ciders andJohn Smith's andNewcastle Brown Ale beers.[9] With the part acquisition ofScottish and Newcastle in 2007/2008, Heineken became the third-largest brewer based on revenues, behind the Belgian-BrazilianAB InBev and the British-South AfricanSAB. Heineken owns the Czech brand Dačický, which was brewed inKutná Hora from 1573 until Heineken took ownership of it and closed the brewery in 2009.[10]
In October 2016, following the merger betweenAnheuser-Busch InBev andSABMiller, Heineken became the second largest brewer in the world.[11]
On 12 January 2010, Heineken International successfully bought the brewery division of Mexican giantFEMSA in an all-stock deal, expanding its reach throughout Latin America. The deal brought brands such asDos Equis,Sol,Tecate,Indio,Bohemia and Kloster. Following the deal, Heineken started selling its products in Latin America through FEMSA's distribution network. The deal madeFEMSA 20% owner of Heineken N.V. essentially becoming its largest single shareholder after the Dutch families (Heineken family and Hoyer family) who owns 25.83% and public shareholders owning 54.17%.[12] The FEMSA acquisition is expected to keep Heineken in its strong position by growing its market share in the Latin American markets. FEMSA has a massive distribution network and owns Mexico's largest convenience store chainOXXO, which has thousands of locations throughout the country.
In September 2014, it was announced that Heineken would sell its Mexican packaging business Empaque to Crown for around $1.23 billion.[13] Also during that month, Heineken revealed it was in talks to sell its Czech operations toMolson Coors.[14]
On 10 September 2015, Heineken International announced it would acquire a 50% stake inLagunitas Brewing Company of Petaluma in California as part of an effort to allow it (Lagunitas) to expand its operations globally. As part of the deal, Lagunitas would no longer be considered a craft brewer as the Heineken stake was greater than 25%.[15]
In January 2017, Heineken announced it was in negotiations to buy theKirin Company's 12 breweries in Brazil.[8] The following month, Heineken closed the deal and boughtBrasil Kirin for US$700 million.[16][17]
On 4 May 2017, after previously acquiring 50% of Lagunitas Brewing Company, Heineken announced it would be purchasing the remaining 50% making it the sole owner of Lagunitas.[18]
In 2018,Heineken signed an agreement withChina Resources Enterprises to purchase a 40% stake into the company.[19]
In June 2018, Heineken named Maggie Timoney as the CEO of Heineken USA, making her the first woman to become the CEO of a major United States beer supplier.[20]
In June 2021, Heineken's stake inUnited Breweries of India increased to 61.5%, ultimately taking control of the company.[21]
In April 2023, Heineken completed the acquisition ofDistell andNamibia Breweries.[22]
In May 2023, Heineken N.V. bought back €333 million in shares fromFEMSA. FEMSA would no longer hold any shares in Heineken N.V. and Heineken Holding N.V. other than the Heineken Holding N.V. shares underlying the exchangeable bond.[23]
In August 2023, Heineken announced the sale of assets in Russia to theArnest Group for €1 plus a €100 million commitment to repay domestic debt.[24]
Heineken organises the company into five territories which are then divided into regional operations.[25] The regions are: Western Europe, Central and Eastern Europe, The Americas, Asia Pacific and Africa and the Middle East. These territories contain 115 brewing plants in more than 65 countries,[26] brewing local brands in addition to the Heineken brand.
The executive team of the company consists of the following people:[27]
Heineken's brewing plants have been designed and engineered in 4 main parts of the world.[28]
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Heineken has 23 operating companies inEurope:[29]
Heineken has 9 operating companies inthe Americas:[29]
Heineken has 15 operating companies inAsia Pacific:[29]
Heineken has 18 operating companies in Africa and the Middle East.[29]These include:
Heineken International owns a worldwide portfolio of over 170 beer brands, mainlypale lager, though some otherbeer styles are produced. The two largest international brands areHeineken andAmstel; though the portfolio includesBirra Moretti, Edelweiss,Lagunitas,Sol,Desperados andTiger.[30] Other regional brands includeAffligem,Gösser andSagres in Europe,Dos Equis,Red Stripe andTecate inAmericas,Bintang,Kingfisher and South Pacific Export in Asia-Pacific.
The shares of Heineken N.V are traded on theNYSE Euronext Amsterdam andOTCQX under the symbols:HEIA andHEINY respectively. As at May 2023, the shareholding in the group's stock was as depicted in the table below:[3]
| Rank | Name of Owner | % Ownership |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Heineken Holding N.V1 | 50.5 |
| 2 | Others | 49.5 |
| Total | 100.00 |
The key trends of Heineken are (as at the financial year ending December 31):[31][32]
| Year | Revenue (€ mn) | Net income (€ mn) | Total assets (€ mn) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 22,471 | 1,903 | 43,602 |
| 2019 | 23,969 | 2,166 | 47,508 |
| 2020 | 19,715 | −204 | 43,515 |
| 2021 | 22,137 | 3,324 | 49,821 |
| 2022 | 28,719 | 2,682 | 53,419 |
| 2023 | 30,362 | 2,304 | 56,387 |
| 2024 | 29,821 | 978 | 55,069 |
Sales in 2024 by geographic area:[33]
| Region | Revenue (€ bn) | share |
|---|---|---|
| Europe | 11.79 | 38.7% |
| Americas | 10.43 | 34.2% |
| Asia Pacific | 4.23 | 13.9% |
| Africa and Middle East | 4.03 | 13.2% |
| Total | 29.82 | 100% |
Heineken's main advertising slogan in the UK was "Refreshes the parts other beers cannot reach",[34] some of which featured voice-over narration by Danish comedian/pianistVictor Borge. The British TV campaign ran for over 30 years – stopping in 2005.[35][36] From March 2011 they have been advertising using the song 'The Golden Age' byThe Asteroids Galaxy Tour. After the success of The Entrance, a web advert (4M views in YouTube), Heineken launched The Date in May 2011.[37]
In March 2017 in Amsterdam, Heineken opened a pop-up bakery for five days to promote the yeast used in its brewing. The bread was made by Mark Plaating and proceeds were donated to a local baking guild.[38]
Heineken sponsors several sporting events. TheHeineken Cup was an annualrugby unionknock-out competition involving leading club, regional and provincial teams from the Six Nations:England,France,Scotland,Wales,Ireland, andItaly. Heineken was the title sponsor from the cup'sinaugural tournament in1995–96, until the tournament ceased in 2014 and was replaced by theChampions Cup. Heineken continued its sponsorship of European Club Rugby as the principle partner of theEuropean Rugby Champions Cup returning to title sponsorship of the Champions Cup from2018–19. They have been credited as theFounding Partner of European Rugby.
Heineken has been an integral partner of theUEFA Champions League since 2005, with a theme of "Enjoyed together around the world."[39] TheHeineken Open (tennis) is atennistournament on theATPInternational Series played inAuckland, New Zealand. Heineken also sponsors the music events: theHeineken Open'er Festival, a contemporary music festival held inPoland; and, since 2004, theOxegen music festival in Ireland. Heineken sponsors the Ballyheigue Summerfest inCounty Kerry, Ireland. In 2016, Heineken became the Official Beer of theFormula One World Championship after theCanadian Grand Prix.[40] During theknockout stage of the2019–20 season, Heineken 0,0% became the official beer of theUEFA Europa League as the season resumed followed with the start of the2020–21 season.[41]
Since 1992 Heineken organises, together withNOC*NSF, the Dutch meeting place at all theOlympic Games, called theHolland Heineken House.
TheHeineken Experience is a museum aboutHeineken Pilsener and the Heineken brewery, based in the original brewery inAmsterdam. The original building was built in 1867, and was in use as a brewery until 1988.[42] In 1991, when part of the establishment was torn down, the Heineken Reception and Information Centre (Dutch:Heineken ontvangst- en informatiecentrum) was opened in the remaining building. In 2001 the name was changed to Heineken Experience.[43]
The museum features "rides", interactive exhibits, and two bars. It also gives an insight into the company's history and brewing processes through the years. Visitors receive one small tasting glass and two full-sized glasses of Heineken beer to drink at the end of the tour, both paid for by the 21 euro entry fee.[citation needed]
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On 15 February 1864, Gerard Adriaan Heineken bought De Hooiberg (the Haystack) brewery in Amsterdam.[44] It remains unclear whether the funds for the purchase of the Haystack came from his father, a cheese trader, or his mother, whose estate included proceeds from her previous husband's family's historical investments in West Indies slave plantations.[45][46]
In a letter to his mother 18 June 1863, Gerard discussed the potential Haystack purchase and his plans for the future. Gerard's mother, Anna Geertruida van de Paauw, came to own shares in slave plantations inBerbice (modern day Guyana) and Suriname through her first marriage in 1829 to Pieter Jacob Schumacher van Oudorp (1804–1833)[47] who died in 1833. The Schumacher family owned several plantations in Berbice and Suriname, according to records held at the UK's National Archive.[48] After Pieter Schumacher died, Anna was remarried to Cornelis Heineken and had four children, one of which was Gerard Heineken. Anna died in 1881.[46]
On 18 April 2007 theEuropean Commission fined Heineken €219.3m,Grolsch €31.65m andBavaria €22.85m for operating aprice fixing cartel in the Netherlands, totalling €273.7m.InBev, (formerlyInterbrew), escaped without a penalty because it provided "decisive information" about the cartel which operated between 1996 and 1999 and others in the EU market. The brewers controlled 95% of the Dutch market, with Heineken claiming a half and the three others 15% each.[49]
Neelie Kroes said she was "very disappointed" that the collusion took place at the very highest (boardroom) level. She added, Heineken, Grolsch, Bavaria and InBev tried to cover their tracks by using code names and abbreviations for secret meetings to carve up the market for beer sold to supermarkets,hotels,restaurants andcafes. Theprice fixing extended to cheaperown-brand labels andrebates for bars.[49]
In 2004 Heineken andKronenbourg (then part ofScottish and Newcastle), the two dominant brewers in France, were fined €2.5m – with the penalty reduced for co-operating.[49]
This is simply unacceptable: that major beer suppliers colluded to up prices and to carve up markets among themselves[49]
— Neelie Kroes, EU Competition Commissioner
InIreland, Heineken briefly marketed "Blasket Blonde" inCounty Kerry from March 2015 to September 2016, andBeanntraí Bru in parts ofCounty Cork in August 2016, as locally madecraft beers, from invented breweries.[50]
At the end of March 2022, over a month after Russia started its war in Ukraine, Heineken announced that it was leaving Russia (including with its other brands there, likeAffligem,Amstel etc.), saying that ownership of the Russian subsidiary was no longer “durable or viable.” But despite this promise Heineken hired more than 240 new staff and launched 61 new products on the Russian market in the last year,[clarification needed] investigators fromFollow the Money[51] reported, based on an overview of 2022 by Heineken Russia.
The Dutch brewer's Russian subsidiary looked back on “a turbulent year, with many new growth opportunities.” One of these opportunities being the departure ofCoca-Cola andPepsi from Russia, which Heineken "cynically" used to "enter the non-alcoholic carbonated beverage market". Heineken announced more investments for 2023, including more modern packaging and new flavors.[52][53][54] New products launched in Russia included an Irish stout, replacingGuinness (which had been brewed and sold by Heineken, under licence), afterDiageo withdrew from Russia.[55]
In August 2023, Heineken announced the sale of its Russian subsidiary to theArnest Group for €1 plus a €100 million commitment to repay domestic debt.[24]
With recent acquisitions in Africa, India, Asia and Latin America, we are continuing to increase our presence within emerging markets, which will contribute to our ongoing growth.
Japan's Nikkei business daily reported that Heineken would pay around 100 billion yen ($872 million) for the business.
Deal makes Dutch group the second-biggest brewer in the world's third-largest beer market.
Heineken is buying Lagunitas in a deal to help propel the craft beer sector globally amid a rapidly changing industry.
"Cornelis and Anna went on to have four children. Their second, Gerard, born in 1841, was their first son. At this time epidemics ravaged Dutch towns, and only three of the family's children made it to adulthood. They were brought up to honour hard work and Gerard grew into an industrious young man, 'with a sense of adventure and a good heart'. When his father passed away in 1862, Gerard, then just twenty-one, could easily have spent the rest of his days living from the family fortune. Instead, he left the cheese trade to other family members and searched for a way to make his own name. In June 1863 he spotted a brewery for sale not far from the family home.
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