Bere Mures branches out

Bere Mures, the second largest local player on the beer market, with business standing at 40 million euros in 2005, will start to produce mineral water in mid- May, following an investment worth 3 million euros. The company will be present with the Cezara brand on the market of mineral waters. “We want a diverse portfolio. We don”t follow the policy of multinational groups; our intention is to enter several sectors, with the decisions to invest being made by our shareholders,” said Virgil Mailat, president of Bere Mures and one of the company”s six shareholders. Besides entering the mineral waters segment, Bere Mures shareholders decided to invest in tourism, as well. Bere Mures allocated 5 million euros to renovate the tourism complex Germisara in Geoagiu (Hunedoara county), which was bought a year ago from AVAS (State Assets Resolution Authority). “The hotel has 145 rooms and will be included in the three-star category. We will have three conference halls, two swimming pools and a complex treatment facility,” added Mailat. By the end of 2007, the production capacity of the beer plant in Mures county will reach 2 million hectolitres, according to Mailat. Bere Mures sold some 1.3 million hectolitres in 2005, against the 1.1 million sold in 2004. The company posted a 10 million-euro profit, while the turnover exceeded 40 million euros, 15% more against 2005. ZF