Asahi Successfully Reaches Over 90% Ownership Of Charlie’s

Asahi Successfully Reaches Over 90% Ownership Of Charlie’s And Declares Offer Unconditional

12 August 2011 – Asahi Beverages New Zealand Limited (Asahi) announces that it has today received acceptances for 90.62 per cent of Charlie’s Group Limited (Charlie’s) shares and has declared its takeover offer for Charlie’s unconditional.

The offer will close as scheduled at midnight on 2 September 2011. Asahi also intends to shortly proceed with compulsory acquisition of any remaining Charlie’s shares for which the holder has not yet accepted the offer in accordance with the Takeovers Code.

Charlie’s shareholders who have not already accepted the offer are encouraged to do so before the close of the offer period at midnight on 2 September 2011.

The consideration for Charlie’s shareholders whose acceptance form for the takeover offer is received by Asahi by midnight on 19 August 2011 (being the original closing date for the takeover offer) will be sent by fastpost or paid by electronic transfer (depending on the election made by the relevant shareholder) not later than 29 August 2011.

Shareholders requiring additional assistance should call Computershare on 0800 727 475 (or, if calling from outside New Zealand, +64 9 4888 777).

About Asahi Beverages New Zealand Limited: Asahi Beverages New Zealand Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of Asahi Group Holdings, Ltd.

About Asahi Group Holdings, Ltd.: The Asahi group, headed by Asahi Group Holdings, Ltd., a Tokyo Stock Exchange listed company, is a leading Japanese alcoholic beverages and soft drinks manufacturer, which turns over 1.5 trillion Yen annually. Alcohol represents approximately 70 per cent of Asahi’s business, with soft drinks comprising approximately 20 per cent. The remainder of Asahi’s business is made up of food and healthcare products. Asahi has operations in Japan, China and Australia.

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