The world’s number two brewer, SABMiller revealed today that it had appointed Norman Adami as the new CEO and president of the company’s North American operations Miller Brewing.


Adami, currently chairman and managing director of The South African Breweries Ltd (Beer South Africa), takes over from John Bowlin whose resignation will take effect from 1 February.


Graham Mackay, chief Eexecutive of SABMiller, said: “I would like to thank John for his contribution to the Miller Brewing Company since April 1999, and I also note his 28 years of distinguished service to the Phillip Morris Group. In particular I acknowledge his commitment and efforts in the process of integrating the SAB and Miller organisations over the past six months. I wish him every success in the future.


“Norman has successfully tackled numerous challenging management roles in SABMiller with distinction over the past 20 years. He has led Beer South Africa over the past nine years and during this time has considerably developed and strengthened one of our largest and most successful operations. Norman brings Beer South Africa’s strong performance management culture to Miller, and I am confident that he will add value and help to ensure that we achieve our collective aspirations for success in the USA”.


Bowlin said: “Over the last four years we have made a lot of progress and achieved some major improvements in the efficiency and competitiveness of Miller. I have been privileged to lead a very professional and talented management team and have every confidence that Miller will grow from strength to strength under Norman’s leadership.”

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Meanwhile, in Europe, Mike Simms, managing director of SABMiller Europe, who has for some time indicated a desire to take early retirement, will relinquish this position with effect from 1 April 2003. He will then undertake various strategic projects before retiring in August 2003.


Dr Alan Clark, currently managing director of Amalgamated Beverage Industries Ltd (ABI), will take over from Simms, with effect from 1 April 2003.


Tony van Kralingen, currently managing director of Plzensky Prazdroj, the SABMiller subsidiary in the Czech Republic and owner of the Pilsner Urquell brand, will take over from Norman Adami in South Africa.


In due course, SAMiller said it would announce the appointments of managing directors for ABI and Pilsner Urquell; and for Kompania Piwowarska in Poland, to succeed Trent Odgers, who was recently appointed to head its Central American operations.

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