Analysts say Okocim may be considering acquisition of two breweries

Beer sector analysts speculate that the Okocim group, controlled by Denmark's brewing giant Carlsberg, is considering taking over the Szczecin-based Bosman and Sierpc-based Kasztelan breweries. Germany's Bitburger currently owns both breweries and is now mulling their sale. Insiders say the location of the two plants would enable Okocim to enter new markets. Bosman would give it direct access to the market in northern Poland, while Kasztelan would allow penetration of central Poland, including Warsaw. Bosman and Kasztelan in 2000 sold 840,000 and 615,000 hectoliters of beer, respectively, together securing 6% of the Polish beer market. Okocim's market share last year was close to this, translating into 12% control of the segment if the company took over both brewers. (Puls Biznesu, p.6) A.D.