By Ed Ballard
Heineken N.V. Tuesday said it will consolidate some geographical
divisions and combine roles at its head office in a reorganization
the brewer said would simplify its business structure and cut
costs.
The company said the changes will "underpin delivery" of its
target of improving its operating margin by around 40 basis
points.
"The changes announced today will make us a more agile
organization," said Jean-Francois van Boxmeer, Heineken's chief
executive officer and chairman. "Our management structure will be
flatter, our operating companies more empowered and our cost of
doing business lower."
The Western Europe and Central and Eastern Europe divisions will
be combined to form a single Europe region, focused on the European
Union. The existing Africa Middle East region will be combined with
Russia and Belarus to form a single Africa Middle East and Eastern
Europe divisions.
The Netherlands-based company also announced changes to staffing
at its head office to make the executive team "leaner". The roles
of chief marketing officer and chief sales officer will be combined
in the new role of chief commercial officer. Jan Derck van
Karnebeek, Heineken's president of Central and Eastern Europe and
chief sales officer, will take the job.
The role of chief strategy officer will be phased out. Current
incumbent, Chris Barrow, has decided to leave Heineken in July, the
company said.
Write to Ed Ballard at ed.ballard@wsj.com