AB Inbev Chairman Goudet Steps Down To Focus On Coffee At JAB

From: chicagobusiness.com

(Bloomberg) — Fresh out of beer school, Olivier Goudet is focusing his career on coffee.

The chief executive officer of JAB Holding Co. is taking the knowledge he’s acquired in building the world’s biggest brewer to the most aggressive acquirer in the caffeine business.

Goudet is stepping down from his other role as chairman of Anheuser-Busch InBev NV to avoid a potential conflict of interest, as his responsibilities at the coffee empire have increased. That could signal that the investment firm, which is backed by Austria’s Reimann family and owns brands like Caribou, Peet’s and Stumptown, will redouble its efforts to dominate the industry.

“There will no doubt be other acquisitions, given their track record and the consolidation of the industry, which has been fast and furious,” said Jeffrey Young, founder of coffee advisory firm Allegra Group. The move “suggests an absolute desire to focus on JAB, which is good news for shareholders.”

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