Anheuser Busch
Anheuser Busch, a wholly owned subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch InBev since 2008 when it merged with InBev is the leading global brewer, and continues to operate under the Anheuser-Busch name and logo.
Anheuser Busch is based in St. Louis USA and operates 12 breweries across the states. The company commands almost half of all American beer sales (48.5%) and owns some of the top selling global beer brands including Budweiser beer. The firm also owns half of Grupo Modelo, Mexico’s leading brewer. In 2008 the firm took first place in FORTUNE Magazine's most admired global and American companies. Anheuser Busch's business interests also include theme parks and aluminium can manufacturing and recycling.[1]
History
The company was established in 1852 at the Bavarian Brewery in St. Louis, in 1960 Eberhard Anheuser, a soap manufacturer, bought the brewery. According to the company web site they becam the first brewery to use pasteurization, in 1870 and by the early 1880s refrigerated rail cars and rail side icehouses, allowing products to be widely distributed. Budweiser introduced in 1876 was the first National brand introduced to America. The firm survived the prohibition era (1920-1933) by selling soft drinks and ice cream. [2]
Philanthropy
Anheuser Busch has a long history of philanthropy and charitable donations. The company is very proud of this aspect of their history which dates back to 1884 [3]. The scale of the donations made by the companies foundation is extensive.
- National Social Norms Institute based at the University of Virginia is made possible by the company, the institute researches how marketing techniques can create social norms and uses these techniques to try and prevent the harmful use of drugs and alcohol and to modify other risky behaviours. [4]
- Providing drinking water to disaster victims has become a regular feature of the brewers philanthrophy , since 1988 the company has donated more than 59 million cans of drinking water to aid the victims of hurricanes and natural disasters.[6] Critics have argued that the branding of this water is inappropriate and regard such action as a cynical marketing ploy. [7].
References
- ↑ Anheuser-Busch Website Company Information accessed 28th May 2009
- ↑ Anheuser Busch Website History accessed 28th May 2009
- ↑ Anheuser Busch Website History accessed 28th May 2009
- ↑ National Social Norms Institute, Home Page accessed 3rd March 2009
- ↑ Anheuser Busch History of Giving accessed 28th May 2009
- ↑ Anheuser Busch History of Giving accessed 28th May 2009
- ↑ Marin Institute Philanthropy accessed 28th May 2009
