Lion

In a climate where the state’s microbrewery stocks are surging ahead and consolidating across Perth, it is worth noting that the Western Australia’s most isolated brewery is quietly and efficiently going about its work.

Shares in Little World Beverages have soared on the Australian Securities Exchange, after national beverages giant Lion launched a $380 million cash takeover bid for the Fremantle-based boutique brewer.

The past two weeks have given plenty of encouragement to those of us who see an enterprising future for business in WA.

The corporate advisory market is in the doldrums as global forces restrain players.

WITH some experienced campaigners suggesting the current mergers and acquisitions market is the worst they have ever seen, there is plenty of finger pointing to overly exuberant deals of the past few years as the reason for reluctance in the current environment.

Japanese brewing giant Lion has announced it will shut down its Swan Brewery in Canning Vale, with at least 80 workers set to lose their jobs.

THE 2012 wealth creators’ list would not be complete without acknowledging the fortunes generated by the development of the Little Creatures brewery and subsequent listing of Little World Beverages.

A shake-up in Western Australia’s dairy industry may be set to deliver for local stakeholders, but the broader sector is unimpressed with free trade commitments made with South Korea and Japan.

A Morley-based importer has enjoyed rapid growth on the back of consumers’ shift towards craft-brewed beer, but it hasn’t always been smooth sailing.

Beverages giant Lion has confirmed about a third of workers at its Bentley milk processing plant will lose their jobs after the company was dumped as Woolworths' milk supplier in Western Australia for rival Brownes.

The WACA is reaping rewards from a controversial sponsorship decision almost 12 months ago.

Craft brewers are maintaining WA’s reputation as the premier beer-making state in Australia, but the challenges they face are as diverse as the breweries themselves.

Brisbane-based Suncorp Bank is calling time on its sponsorship deal with Perth Arena, making it the first corporate partner to withdraw support since signing with the facility at its 2012 opening.

National dairy products supplier Lion is divesting some of its land holdings in Bentley, including a 2.9-hectare site, following its recent consolidation of the Masters Dairy depot as parts of its three-year growth plan.