United Breweries Limited (UBL), a leading player in the Indian beer market, has reported strong performance for the first quarter of 2024 and announced upcoming changes in its senior management.

Strong Q1 2024 Performance

According to Heineken N.V.'s trading update for Q1 2024, United Breweries experienced impressive growth in its India operations. The company reported a 20.00% organic net revenue growth, driven by both volume increases and a positive price mix. Beer volume grew in the low-teens, outpacing the market despite cycling route-to-market changes from the previous year.

The premium portfolio showed particularly strong performance, with volume increasing in the low-twenties. This growth was led by popular brands Kingfisher Ultra and Heineken Silver, highlighting the company's success in the high-end segment of the market.

Innovation and Inclusivity

In a move to celebrate diversity and inclusivity, United Breweries launched Queenfisher, an all-women initiative, to commemorate International Women's Day. This initiative demonstrates the company's commitment to promoting gender equality and empowering women in the industry.

Leadership Changes

United Breweries disclosed upcoming changes in its senior management team:

1. Resignation: Ms. Shelly Kohli, the current Director - Legal, will be stepping down from her position effective October 1, 2025. Ms. Kohli has accepted the role of Regional Legal Director for APAC with Heineken, which will commence on January 1, 2026.

2. New Appointment: Ms. Neha Munjral will be taking over as the new Director - Legal, effective October 1, 2025.

About Neha Munjral

Ms. Munjral brings a wealth of experience to her new role at United Breweries:

• Over 17 years of experience across Multinational Corporations and top-tier law firms in India
• Expertise in strategic board management, complex deal negotiation, compliance & investigations, and enterprise risk management
• Previously served as General Counsel and Head of CSR for GE Healthcare's medical device business in India & South Asia
• Led Enterprise Risk Management and Corporate Social Responsibility at GE Healthcare
• Held the position of General Counsel for the listed entity GE Power India Limited
• Graduate of the National Law School of India University, Bangalore, with an LLM degree from New York University School of Law

These leadership changes and strong financial performance indicate United Breweries' commitment to growth and excellence in the competitive Indian beer market. The company's focus on premium brands and innovative initiatives like Queenfisher suggests a strategic approach to capturing market share and promoting inclusivity in the industry.

United Breweries Limited (UBL), a leading player in the Indian beer market, has announced a significant expansion of its production capabilities at its Nizam Brewery in Telangana. The company's board has approved a ₹90 crore investment to add a new canning line, which will increase the facility's capacity by 0.4 million hectoliters.

Expansion Details

The expansion project, as disclosed in the company's latest regulatory filing, includes the following key points:

• Investment: ₹90.00 crore
• Capacity Addition: 0.40 million hectoliters (mhl)
• Timeline: Expected completion within one year
• Financing: To be funded through internal accruals

Current Operations and Rationale

According to the filing, the existing capacity of the Nizam Brewery stands at 0.50 mhl, with a current utilization rate exceeding 90%. The company cites market demand as the primary rationale for this expansion.

New Canning Line

The new canning line facility at the Nizam Brewery is designed primarily to produce premium products under the Kingfisher and Heineken® brands. This strategic move is likely aimed at capitalizing on the growing demand for canned beer products in the Indian market.

Regulatory Approvals

United Breweries has secured all necessary regulatory approvals for this expansion, including the crucial Building Permit Order issued by the Industrial Area Local Authority - Kothlapur on August 25, 2025.

Market Implications

This expansion underscores United Breweries' commitment to meeting the increasing demand for its products and strengthening its position in the competitive Indian beer market. The focus on premium products suggests a strategic alignment with changing consumer preferences and potentially higher-margin offerings.

The investment in increased production capacity, particularly in canning capabilities, may also indicate the company's response to evolving packaging trends and consumer behaviors in the beverage industry.

As United Breweries moves forward with this significant capacity addition, industry observers will be watching closely to see how this expansion impacts the company's market share and financial performance in the coming years.