Denver economic-development officials say they will keep pushing hard to snag the headquarters of MillerCoors, despite reports it could locate elsewhere.
“We have been in regular contact with the top executives at Molson Coors,” said Tom Clark, executive vice president with the Metro Denver Economic Development Corp. “They know we are interested.”
Molson Coors vice chairman Peter Coors said Tuesday that the joint venture between his company and Miller Brewing, the U.S. arm of SABMiller, would likely choose a neutral site for its new headquarters.
“It’s highly unlikely it will be either Denver or Milwaukee,” Coors said.
Denver is home to Molson Coors, which accounts for 10 percent of U.S. beer sales, while Miller Brewing, responsible for 18 percent of U.S. beer sales, calls Milwaukee home.
Molson Coors and Miller Brewing tried to soften Coors’ comments, saying all options remain open. “At this stage, no decision has been made and nothing has been ruled out. We’ve not even begun a selection process,” both companies said in a statement.
Clark said that is the message he and his staff have received. The Metro Denver Economic Development Corp. has prepared a proposal touting why the headquarters should come to Colorado after the U.S. Department of Justice rules on the deal.
Likewise, Gov. Bill Ritter and state economic-development officials have kept in close contact with Molson Coors executives, said Matt Cheroutes, a spokesman for the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade.
“We realize they have to do what is in the best interest of the company. Ultimately, we want Coors to be successful,” he said.
If MillerCoors goes elsewhere, the number of jobs leaving Denver will likely be small.
Moving Coors management away from Colorado carries its own set of risks, added one economic-development consultant.
“For a long time, the images of Coors and Colorado have been tied together in a favorable way for both parties,” said Ford Frick, a managing director at BBC Research and Consulting in Cherry Creek.
Company officials reconfirmed that Molson Coors would continue to maintain its headquarters in Denver and Montreal. The Golden plant would also continue its operations, although Coors Brewing Co., the legacy company, would fold into Miller Coors.
Leo Kiely, chief executive of Molson Coors, will step down to run MillerCoors for at least two years, while Peter Coors will serve as chairman of the joint venture.
Business editor Steve McMillan contributed to this report.
Aldo Svaldi: 303-954-1410 or asvaldi@denverpost.com
Tapping a new home
Possible candidates for a MillerCoors headquarters:
• Atlanta
• Chicago
• Dallas
• Des Moines, Iowa
• Kansas City
• New York
