Keg behemoths MicroStar and Kegstar are merging

MicroStar and Kegstar, the two leading providers of drinks industry keg services through the United States, Europe, Australia and New Zealand, are combining their businesses. Following the merger, the combined entity will be owned 15% by Brambles and 85% by MicroStar’s current shareholders. The merger is subject to foreign investment approval in Australia and New Zealand and is expected to complete during the first half of this calendar year.

The MicroStar and Kegstar merger will leverage the best of both parties’ expertise and employees, to create greater customer experiences with accelerated global growth, through quality local execution.

The merged business will be led by Michael Hranicka, MicroStar’s CEO & President, with Christian Barden remaining as the Global Managing Director of Kegstar, through the Kegstar and KegLease brands and solutions.

“We have watched Kegstar closely and admired the way Kegstar have helped their customers grow by simplifying brewers’ keg supply chains,” said Michael. “Our cultures, geographies and capabilities are highly complementary allowing us to add strength to strength and open up significant growth opportunities in existing and future markets.”

Christian, who started Kegstar in the UK in 2016 commented: “This is terrific news for our people, customers, partners and ambitions. It’s testament to the eight-fold growth the team have delivered across ten countries in the last four years, and we’ve only just got started.

Becoming part of the MicroStar family with our shared people, quality, innovation and sustainability values, is awesome. This merger keeps the best bits of our journey so far and will bring new levels of energy, global know-how and singular focus on keg management.”

“In this next phase of our growth, we get fresh support, different perspectives and new investment, with Brambles remaining a 15% shareholder. Now, we have even more of the right resources to take the Kegstar and MicroStar brands to the next level for our customers and the drinks industry. Bring on the next ten years of getting more great beers to more happy drinkers around the world!”