The first five months of the current fiscal year have been good for
the world's second largest brewer, SABMiller, despite the
devaluation of currencies in South Africa.
Growing demand for Guinness Stout on export markets has prompted
Guinness UDV to invest €38m in expanding production of the brand's
secret ingredient at its Waterford brewery.
Angostura, the company famous for its bitter cocktail ingredient,
is expected to make a takeover bid for Scotch whisky maker Burn
Stewart within the next few weeks.
Belgian speciality beer maker Duvel Moortgat shrugged off declining
volumes in France and the Netherlands to post a 9 per cent rise in
first half turnover, helped by strong performances in the UK and
US.
Al Ahram Beverage Company (ABC) is to become the latest addition to
the Heineken portfolio, a deal which might go some way towards
appeasing analysts who were hoping for more news of growth as the
company announced its first half...
Luxury goods group LVMH showed a steady improvement in operating
profits in the first half, helped by good performances from
Champagne and Cognac in difficult market conditions.
As if declining profits and poor summer weather were not bad
enough, Britain's leading cider maker HP Bulmer has now revealed
previously unnoticed costs in its UK takehome division - costs
which will either push 2001/2002 profits...
The launch of the new Zinniz fruit-flavoured beer brand helped
Grolsch lift its share of an otherwise sluggish Dutch market.
Strong performances in the UK also contributed to a 6.6 per cent
rise in turnover during the half.
Strong organic growth from the premium drinks business was one of
several key drivers of growth at Diageo, the UK company which is
now wholly focused on its beer, wine and spirits business. Smirnoff
Ice and other RTD brands performed...
The world's biggest spirits group should continue with its policy
of using the proceeds of disposals to buy back shares when the sale
of its Burger King unit is completed. But this does not rule out
further acquisitions.
Leading UK brewer Scottish & Newcastle has reported increased
volume sales for its leading brands in the first five months of the
new financial year, helped by the acqusition of the Hartwall
business in Finland. Compatriot Greene...
Coca-Cola Hellenic HBC, the world's second largest Coke bottler
with operations in 26 countries, has reported strong growth in
sales and profits for the first half of the year.
Belvedere, the French wine and spirit distribution company, has
registered a 59 per cent rise in sales to €106.8 million in the
first half of the year, helped by the €8.2 million acquisition of
the Polish distillery Starograd Gdanski.
The merger of Stellenbosch Farmers' Winery and Distilllers
Corporation, two of the largest drinks producers in South Africa,
has helped Distell see improved growth opportunities and greater
international expansion.
