Aug. 6 (Bloomberg) -- Kirin Holdings Co., Japan’s biggest brewer, will combine all its Australian units into a new company headed by Rob Murray if its A$3.5 billion ($3 billion) offer for the rest of Lion Nathan Ltd. is approved by investors.

Kirin will merge the brewer, where Murray, 46, is chief executive officer, with Australia’s largest milk processor and juicemaker, Sydney-based Lion Nathan said in statement today. The new business will be known as Lion Nathan National Foods Pty.

Kirin’s offer for the 54 percent of Lion Nathan it doesn’t already own was today deemed “fair and reasonable” by Lonergan Edwards & Associates, which was commissioned to evaluate the bid. The takeover has board support and investors are scheduled to vote on the proposal at a meeting scheduled for Sept. 17.

“The combination of Kirin’s businesses in this region would create a compelling Australian beverages and dairy business,” Lion Nathan Chairman Geoff Ricketts said in the statement.

Murray, who led Australia’s second-largest brewer since October 2004, increased spending on advertising and plants to boost sales of premium beers, which are more profitable than other labels. Prior to taking the role, he ran Nestle SA’s units in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.

The bid by Tokyo-based Kirin has received approval from foreign investment regulators in Australia and New Zealand. Foster’s Group Ltd. is Australia’s largest brewer.

To contact the reporter on this story: Robert Fenner in Melbourne rfenner@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: August 6, 2009 04:09 EDT