SAB Miller up 15%

Compania de Bere Romania (CBR), which is part of SABMiller, the number two on the Romanian market with a 22% market share, has posted 15% growth in sales volumes for 2004. This is higher than growth for the overall industry. The company did not reveal its figures for 2004. Turnover for 2003 was 73 million euros. “The results were chiefly due to our brand gaining in strength and customer loyalty,” said Octavian Buzoianu, CBR’s Corporate Affairs Director. CBR makes the Ursus Premium, Timisoreana Lux and Ciucas beers, and also distributes Pilsner Urquell. A survey by MEMRB over the December 2003 to November 2004 period shows that Ursus accounted for an average of 11.8% of the total volume of bottled beer sales, with Timisoreana coming in at 5.5%. “We will continue to develop the traditional Romanian brands,” added Buzoianu. ZF