Belgian managing director for Heineken subsidiary Alken-Maes

Belgian Edwin Botterman will become Alken-Maes‘ new managing director next month. He will succeed Dutuch Erik van de Ven, who will head to the brewer’s parent company, Heineken, in Amsterdam.

Many switches

After a three-year gap, Alken-Maes (Maes Pils, Cristal, Grimbergen, Affligem, Mort Subite and Ciney) will be led by a Belgian again, managing director Edwin Botterman. He has been in charge of Heineken Italy for the past 6 years and previously handled the Dutch concern’s operations in La Réunion, Central Africa and Romania.

He will succeed Dutch Erik van de Ven at Belgium’s second largest brewery (trailing AB InBev). Van de Ven came to Alken-Maes in 2013 and will now return to Heineken in Amsterdam. “I look back satisfied at my time at Alken-Maes, but also look forward with a tranquil heart. With Edwin’s appointment, I am convinced Alken-Maes will continue its position as an innovative challenger in the next few years”, van de Ven said.

Alken-Maes brews 1.4 million hectoliters every year and has a 200 million euro turnover, thanks to 500 employees. It has a main office in Mechelen, but also three breweries (Alken, Opwijk, Kobbegem) and three distribution centers (Mechelen, Wellen, Middelkerke).