Zywiec seen as unwilling to sell Heveliusz to Brau-Union

Austrian beer producer Brau-Union is interested in acquiring Gdansk-based brewery Heveliusz, whose owner, the Zywiec Group, is planning to close the brewery owing to financial problems on January 1, 2001. Analysts say, however, it is unlikely that Zywiec will sell Heveliusz to Brau-Union, one of its competitors in Poland, especially since it boasts a strong position in the North with breweries in Elblag and Braniewo. At the same time, Heveliusz employees, who are in fear of losing their jobs if the brewery is closed, say they are considering its buy out. Though the 187 workers employed are supposed to receive some zl.10 million from Zywiec as compensation, this would still be too little to take control of the plant, which is valued at zl.60 million. (Puls Biznesu, p.14) AZ