Get the facts about MillerCoors new headquarters and our commitment to the hometowns of Miller and Coors beers.
1. Why was Chicago selected as the corporate headquarters location?
The first and most important reason is because it is a neutral city where we can set the new company up for success. Our decision in no way diminishes our very positive view of Milwaukee and Denver/Golden as attractive business locations.
The specific reasons for selecting Chicago include:
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• Good access and easy transportation to existing U.S. operations and customers
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• A true international city with a vibrant 24 hour Central Business District
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• Attractive talent pool
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• Unique business resources
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• A culture rich and diverse city including professional sports, the performing arts, world class shopping and the lakefront
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• Relocating employees have a broad cross-section of affordable communities to choose from within easy commutes with high quality of life and great schools
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• Favorable economic incentives from the State of Illinois and the City of Chicago to assist in offsetting considerable relocation costs
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• A number of viable real estate options which provide good access for commuters, building signage, amenities and which could be ready for occupancy by early summer 2009.
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2. Why weren’t either Milwaukee or Golden selected as finalists?
We determined that it would be inconsistent with our balanced governance structure and our goal of creating a truly new company to locate the headquarters of MillerCoors in either Milwaukee or Golden. To do so would wrongly indicate that one of the partners has a controlling interest in the new company.
3. Will the current corporate headquarters in Milwaukee and Golden be closed or sold?
No. We will maintain significant operations at our current office locations in both cities and are planning to make multi-million dollar investments in both the Milwaukee and Golden breweries over the next three years. In addition, we will continue to make major investments in civic, cultural and sports sponsorships throughout Wisconsin and Colorado
4. Doesn’t this represent a huge loss to both Milwaukee and Golden?
We believe both Golden and Milwaukee stand to gain in the MillerCoors deal since our operations in both cities will now be part of a stronger, more competitive player in the U.S. beer business. This will ultimately strengthen our long-term economic and social impact in both of our hometowns and secure the future of brewing in both locations.
5. Can you provide any additional context around what “significant presence” in Milwaukee and Golden means?
Both breweries are staying open. We will be making a significant investment in updating and enhancing the Milwaukee and Golden breweries. We will also maintain a significant corporate staff in both cities.
6. Which corporate functions will be in Chicago and what will stay in Golden and Milwaukee?
We will house a number of our senior executives and their teams as well as the bulk of the marketing team in Chicago. We will locate our Eastern Division Headquarters, Great Lakes sales region office and significant parts of our Finance, IT, HR and Operations divisions in Milwaukee. We will locate our Western Division Headquarters, Mountain sales region office and significant parts of our Finance, IT, HR and Operations divisions in Golden.
7. How many jobs will Golden/Milwaukee lose?
As a result of the headquarters move, 150-175 positions will be impacted in both Golden and Milwaukee. Additional positions will be impacted as we work to achieve our synergy targets over the next three years.
8. How many people will be in the new HQ location?
We expect to have 300-400 employees at headquarters over time.