InBev donates to children’s reading programs, earthquake victims, the blind. A softer side?
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The latest corporate responsibility report from InBev is fascinating stuff. The brewer supplies data about how it is reducing water use, instituting responsible drinking programs and donating to worthy causes.
Few would argue that InBev, the notoriously tough-minded company, went all fuzzy wuzzy on us. If anything, the report - which tracks the years 2005-2007, before the company took over Anheuser-Busch - seems to indicate the brewer’s penchant for bringing hard-edged analysis to every task. The company likes to say it sets ambitious but attainable goals in its two “areas of focus”: promoting responsible drinking and sound environmental management practices.
To wit: The company’s used 5 hectoliters of water to make 1 hectoliter of beer in 2007, down from 5.25 two years before. By 2010, the company wants to use only 3.75 hectoliters of water to produce a hectoliter of beer or soft drinks. Similarly, the company’s wastewater produced per hectoliter of beer fell to 3.41 hectoliters in 2007 from 3.74 in 2005. It wants to trim that further - down to 3.1 hectoliters - by 2010.
Guess we’ll have to check back and see how these efforts go. In any case, InBev seems pumped about its initiates, using the word “dream” no fewer than 11 times in the 40-page report, which outlines various good deeds:
- Since the occurrence of the Sichuan earthquake in May 2008, InBev’s China breweries have donated 2 million Chinese yuan (about $300,000 at today’s exchange rates) to local governments and the Red Cross. Donations from employees across China were matched by the company.
- In 2008, InBev’s Serbian operations donated $35,000 (again, at today’s exchange rates) to construct “Apatinska House,” a pavilion in Pancveo, Serbia to accommodate blind or partially-sighted people lacking adequate accommodation.
- In Argentina, InBev runs a program called Traveling Backpack (‘Mochila Viajera’), a traveling children’s library that aims to bring books to children and strengthen family gatherings around reading. The project has reached more than 5,500 students and approximately 4,500 families as well as 450 teachers.
- Over three years, the company reduced energy consumption (per hectoliter of beer produced) by 22 percent.
InBev also said it planned to have at least one responsible drinking up and running in 30 of the nations in which it operates.
Let it not be said that Lager Heads only focuses on the negative. When it comes to InBev’s charitable giving (or Anheuser-Busch InBev’s, as we might say now,) we give credit where credit is due. And we also give scrutiny when it’s called for. In any case, we report…you decide.
Reporter’s note: In an earlier version of this post, we erroneously said InBev wanted to use 4.5 hectoliters of water to make a hectoliter of beer by 2010. The target is actually more ambitious: 3.75 hectoliters.
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Jeremiah McWilliams is a native Virginian who came to the Post-Dispatch in early 2007 to cover beer and other consumer products. He previously covered manufacturing for the Virginian-Pilot newspaper in Norfolk, Va. He is a graduate of Washington and Lee University. 
You know, as a former AB employee who was “RIF’ed” (reduction in force) earlier this year…I accept responsibility for my consequences. I worked in a “dead” department that was a ripe target for pink slips. However…I do get pissed off from time to time when I think of the sacrifices my kids have to make. It breaks my heart that we can’t join the rest of the little leaguers and their families after the game for a sno-cone (or pizza, whatever)…because we’re broke and can’t afford ANY unplanned expenses. It also pisses me off that a “treat” to my kids now is a trip to Dierbergs or Sam’s Club on “sample day.” I know Dave Peacock’s kids (or Carlos Brito’s kids) have no idea what my kids are having to go thru as a result of InBev’s “better world.” Yeah…better for some…a LOT crummier for others. This company let go 1400 people in December and they’ve been cutting 25-50 every other week or so since then. It’s tragic…but it’s also under the radar if they cut a little at a time.
One wonders why Duff Man isn’t living off his savings? Oh, that’s right - he had to buy that McMansion in Wildwood and brand new SUV. And for the record, there are not 25-50 cuts every week. In fact, other than 1-2 here and there, there have been none. So stop lying.
Duff man knows the truth…he is not blinded by the light.
Duff man lives in a modest 3 bedroom house and has very little debt. He buys his SUVs used…usually with cash. Duff man was dismissed with 20 others…and it wasn’t the only department affected. So…stop lying about other people when you don’t know the truth.
InBred Carlos and P-Wad appear to be a couple of Robin Hood Wannabes. The only difference is the real Robin Hood robbed from the rich to give to the poor. These two J.O’s robbed the working class employees, vendors, and retirees to give to the poor. They are now trying to present themselves as sensitive, caring, individuals looking out for the less fortunate. What a pathetic bunch of fraudulent losers. Excuse me, I need to heave in my trash can.
Any person who thinks InBev is a “great” company is living in an alternate universe. I am not saying Anheuser Busch back in the day was made up of a bunch of saints. They had and still have their fair share of jerks. However, compared to InBev they are angels. Why do people in St. Louis think InBev is going to change for this city? If you know what this company is all about and what they have done in the past, what would make you think they are going to change? The best part of AB InBev, is that InBev overpaid by so much, it is what will probably get them in the end. The next couple of years is going to be fun to watch. Nothing fun about people losing their jobs.