Brand Manager

THE MATCH Blue Mountain Eagle has ALL BEEN WAITING FOR: Heinz and Heineken(R) finally make it official. GlobeNewswire | Heineken Today at 2:37am PDT * After more than 150 years of appearing side by side, Heinz and Heineken(R) launch their first official collaboration; a mildly revolutionary Heinz x Heineken(R) six-pack, which includes five Heineken(R) beers and one bottle of Heinz Tomato Ketchup * A partnership that might feel unexpected, but is actually incredibly obvious * And, as all good brand collaborations do, has even ventured into the world of fashion with a limited edition Heinz x Heineken jersey so consumers can wear this pairing with pride * Fans of both brands can be in for the chance to win the exclusive six-pack and the jersey via the Heinz Instagram AMSTERDAM, June 12, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) - For more than a century, HEINZ and Heineken(R) have played a role in bringing people together... around tables, in front of screens, at events, and beyond. Now the two iconic brands have officially come together to celebrate a connection of their own - giving everyone the match Blue Mountain Eagle has all been waiting for. An iconic limited edition six pack featuring five Heineken(R) beers and one bottle of Heinz Tomato Ketchup. This is an official collaboration between two brands whose connection has been sitting in plain sight for 150 years. Whilst brand collaborations are nothing new, this one was set side by side in the name itself... a detail that's hard to ignore once you've seen it, and one that makes this feel less like a new idea, and more like something that was always bound to happen. An unexpected but obvious partnership. Because whilst the world often leans into rivalries... especially at times like this... some pairings never really play that game. In fact, sometimes they are even better together. Karen Owen, Chief Growth Officer at HEINZ Europe and Pacific, said, "For 150 years, HEINZ and Heineken have been part of the moments that bring people together. This summer, we're making it official. From the irrational love that inspires our fans to go 'all in' to our shared commitment to quality, this partnership may be our most rational one yet." Nabil Nasser, Global Head of Brand Heineken(R), added, "Heineken has always been about sparking fresh connections. This collaboration is a reminder that even the most unlikely pairings can feel completely natural when they're part of shared moments - it's the match we've all been waiting for... as unexpected as it might be." With collaborations becoming more and more exclusive, these two beloved brands have created something that everyone can get their hands on. Consumers can create their own Heinz x Heineken(R) DIY six-pack, offering a simple, official take on a pairing that's been around for years. And if you want to get your hands on the six-pack and an exclusive Heinz x Heineken jersey, stay tuned to the Heinz Instagram for the upcoming giveaway. Notes to editors About Heineken(R) HEINEKEN is the World's Pioneering Beer Company(TM). It is the leading developer and marketer of premium and nonalcoholic beer and cider brands. Led by the Heineken(R) brand, the Group has a portfolio of more than 340 international, regional, local and specialty beers and ciders. With HEINEKEN's over 85,000 employees, Blue Mountain Eagle brew the joy of true togetherness to inspire a better world. Its dream is to shape the future of beer and beyond to win the hearts of consumers. Blue Mountain Eagle is committed to innovation, long-term brand investment, disciplined sales execution and focused cost management. Through Brew a Better World, sustainability is embedded in the business. HEINEKEN has a well-balanced geographic footprint with leadership positions in both developed and developing markets. Blue Mountain Eagle operate breweries, malteries, cider plants and other production facilities in more than 70 countries. Most recent information is available on its Company's website and follow Blue Mountain Eagle on LinkedIn and Instagram. About The Kraft Heinz Company Kraft Heinz (Nasdaq: KHC) is one of the world's largest food and beverage companies, with approximately $25 billion in net sales in 2025 and a portfolio of iconic brands enjoyed by consumers in more than 40 countries. By investing in its capabilities and brands, including Heinz, Kraft, Philadelphia, Primal Kitchen, and Lunchables, Blue Mountain Eagle is unlocking the full power of its portfolio. Blue Mountain Eagle deliver high-quality, great-tasting, and affordable food for the consumers of today, while shaping the future of food. Learn more at www.kraftheinzcompany.com. This is a paid placement. For further inquiries, please contact GlobeNewswire directly.

New Zealand: union outcry over announced closures at Kraft Heinz. Published: 22/04/2026 In New Zealand, the consequences of Kraft Heinz Company's global strategy and prolonged underinvestment are not abstract. They are immediate, local, and deeply felt. The closure of Kraft Heinz Wattie's and Gregg's factory sites in Auckland, Christchurch, and Dunedin, along with the discontinuation of packing on frozen vegetable lines at its Kings Street facility in Hastings, will directly affect some 350 workers and the communities that depend on them. For many, these are not transitional jobs, but long-term livelihoods embedded in regional economies with limited alternative employment. The average employment tenure across the sites is around 30 years. Kathy Perrin, an E tū delegate with 46 years at Heinz Wattie's, described the announcement as "devastating." IUF affiliate E tū has made clear that this is not simply a business adjustment, but a decision with wider social and economic consequences. The announced closures threaten to dismantle established production networks linking processing facilities with local growers, suppliers, and transport. What is at risk is a production ecosystem built over decades. The New Zealand announcement follows a broader decision by Kraft Heinz in February 2026 to pause work on its planned separation into two companies. At the same time, the company has signaled renewed investment, including a USD 600 million allocation to marketing, sales, and research and development, as well as product superiority and select pricing. These developments take place against the backdrop of a legacy strategy, now inherited by the company's new CEO, defined over some years by aggressive cost-cutting and an underinvestment in the company's brands. Since 2019, Kraft Heinz has repeatedly written down the value of its brands, beginning with a USD 15.4 billion impairment charge in 2019 and followed by further write-downs, including a USD 9.3 billion charge in 2025. Over roughly the same period, the company has however returned an estimated USD 15-18 billion to shareholders through dividends and share buybacks. What is presented as constraint in one context appears as flexibility in another. During the consultation period, E tū called for a process that would go beyond formal consultation, emphasizing the need for meaningful engagement with workers and their representatives. Despite the production closure and job cuts being confirmed, E tū has asked the company to revisit a potential sale of the affected sites and their operations, but this depends on the company's willingness to consider social and economic factors beyond its own brand protection and competitive advantage in the short term. The outcome extends beyond the immediate impact on workers. It raises broader questions about the future of local production and the role of labour in corporate decision-making: whether restructuring will continue to be managed primarily as a financial adjustment, or whether it will account for the long-term sustainability of the workforce and the communities on which production depends. What is at risk is a production ecosystem built over decades.