Project start: 2004
Project end: 2005

About the Company:
Patra had the largest and most up-to-date brewery in the Urals with potential to have the dominant market share in Yekaterinburg and the Sverdlovsk Region. At the time of control stake acquisition the plant had inherent internal reserves: possibility to improve the product’s quality, increase of price effectiveness, cost-cutting and opportunity to improve usage of production capacity.

Investment Idea of the Project:
The idea of the project was to gain control of the most attractive independent brewery in the industry and to increase its value. The project included several investment strategies: organic growth, restructuring and leverage.

Role of the Investor:
Active participation in management through the board of directors, strengthening the management team.
Within a few months, operating and production activities were optimized.
A long-term program for growing Patra into the lead brewer in the region was developed.

Divestment:
Success of the turnaround program prompted strategic investor interest to Patra. The potential for much greater consumption of beer in the region and a favorable competitive environment made it possible for the primary buyer to quickly take the dominant position in the local marketplace. In 2005, Patra was sold to Heineken Corporation.