Heineken, 50m euros for Romanian facilities in 2009

Heineken Romania, the brewer that reached turnover worth above 200m euros last year, plans to invest around 50m euros in 2009 to modernise its Romanian production facilities. At least 10% of this sum will be aimed at the former brewery of Bere Mures brewer. The company will operate this investment despite the Dutch group having earmarked over 150m euros for its domestic subsidiary for the acquisition of independent brewer Bere Mures and despite the international financial crisis whose fallout will be felt in Romania as well in the near future, says Edwin Botterman, chairman and CEO of Heineken Romania. He added the 50m euros would not be specially used to boost production capacities, but rather for the modernisation and renovation of the facilities that brew brands such as Heineken, Gosser, Silva, Ciuc, Golden Brau, Bucegi, Schlossgold, Gambrinus, Harghita and Hategana. Botterman is also considering producing some brands from Heineken Romania’s portfolio at the brewery in Targu Mures. In the first half, Heineken Romania saw turnover go up by 16% and reach 390m RON (106m euros), while sold volumes rose by 5.6% in the same period. For the end of 2008, Botterman forecasts a two-digit turnover increase against the same period in 2007, whereas the beer market will increase by 6-8% by yearend.