Text 3. Guinness: more than just a beer

When most people hear the word Guinness, they think of the Irish beer of the same name, but in fact the Guinness company is now a multinational with a vast network of joint venture companies, distributors and subsidiaries, and an annual turnover of more than £4 billion. Its products are sold in over 200 countries worldwide.

Guinness operates mainly in the alcoholic drinks market. Its brands include a number of famous names like Johnnie Walker, Bell’s Scotch whisky, and Gordon’s gin. It owns United Distillers, the most profitable spirits company in the world. It also has a 34% stake in Moёt Hennessy, the French champagne and cognac company, whose owner, LVMH, has a 20% share in Guinness. About three quarters of Guinness group’s profits come from spirits. Guinness beer (called “stout”) is produced in more than 50 countries, and sold in 150. For the moment, the beer company represents only 25% of the group’s profits.

Apart from alcohol production, the company owns Gleneangels, the world-famous golf hotel in Scotland, and runs a division which publishes The Guinness Book of Records.

Guinness PLC is based in central London. The company has offices in over 500 countries around the world, with 23.000 employees. Tony Greener is the chairman of a Board which is made up of 6 executive and 6 non-executive directors.

1. What markets does Guinness operate in?

2. What is the main source of company’s profits?

3. What division dealing with publishing does the company run?

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