Czech investment sees sales increase
meant that the group is in a good position as the Czech Republic
readies for EU accession in May. The accession will give the
company a better position in the European market place, as sales
increases come from facility upgrades and resulting production
increases.
Last year the company produced 8 million hectolitres of beer which led to a domestic sales increase of 3.6 per cent and foreign sales rose by 20 per cent to 1.5 million hectolitres. Investment in its breweries during the year has been a driving force which has allowed the company to increase its production capacity.
The company reconstructed the Pilsner Urquell brew house and built new facilities at the Pilsen brewery and major investment began at its Velke Popovice brewery. The company also installed a number of cylindro-conical tanks to create greater efficiencies in the fermentation process.
As a result Pilsner Urquell witnessed a 10 per cent year-on-year growth and Velkopopovicky Kozel gained an above average growth making it the most dynamic developing brand in both the Czech and foreign markets.
Commenting on the results, Steve Woodward, managing director of the company said:"We are confident that the high quality of our brands, effective exploitation of our production, sales and distribution networks, and innovative marketing execution will result in another very good year for Plzensky Prazdroj in 2004. "
Three months before the Czech Republic's Accession into the European Union, the company stated its beleif that it is in a good position to compete with the European market.
"We also look forward to joining the European Union in May as a Czech leader which meets EU standards and requirements in all areas of the company's operations," Woodward added.
Plzensky Prazdroj sells beer in over 50 countries world-wide, the company's main beer brands in the Czech Republic are Pilsner Urquell, Gambrinus, Ragegast and Velkopopovicky Kozel. It is part of the SABMiller family which is among the world's leading brewers.
