War and Ebola have Heineken as yet untouched – Parool.nl

War and Ebola have Heineken as yet untouched – Parool.nl

20-08-14 14:20 h – Source: Het Parool

Heineken in the first half brewed more beer, but less profit it held over. © Reuters

Interview

With nice weather and a good World Cup, Heineken sold more beer last year. Russia and Nigeria reveal the beer giant concerns, but Heineken is a lot better in the crisis countries than many competitors

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Financial CEO René Hooft Graafland Heineken © Heineken

Where the Danish Carlsberg this morning the alarm heralded because of the situation in Russia – where the largest Western brewer is – looks Heineken yet no major consequences for Ukraine Crisis for its own activities. Heineken took last year just marktaandeelin Russia.

The company owns and operates eight breweries in the country. “We are not directly affected by the trade boycott promulgated,” says CFO René Hooft Graafland today in Het Parool. “But of course the escalation of the conflict is a cause for concern.” Especially if Europe trade measures against Russia tightens as a countermeasure against the ban on imports of agricultural products.

Heineken has already been armed against Russian setbacks. Unlike rivals Carlsberg and Heineken, SAB Miller has deliberately not been on acquisition hunt over the past few years. As a result, the company is also less affected by the hefty duty increases that the Russian government has introduced in recent years. “Although our activities in Russia are bulky, for us it is a relatively small market, also in terms of profitability.”

Ebola
The same applies to the Ebola outbreak hit West Africa, with Nigeria leading core market. “The concern about the epidemic has not yet reached the beer sales. If there would be great uncertainty and fear people do not go to bars, it could of course have an impact. But we hope it does not come, certainly not for the people. “

While many competitors are dependent on two, three, four core markets, Heineken will continue to invest primarily in a global presence. “Our geographic spread is much larger. Therefore we can easily compensate for such crises elsewhere. “

Heineken morning announced its results for the first half known. The group was brewing between January and August, more than three percent more beer, but by unfavorable exchange rates decreased half profit (631 million) and sales (10.2 billion) light.

The Western European market revived because of the good weather and the World Cup. This trend will not continue for the rest of the year, expect the CFO. “Last year it was in the third quarter nice weather. Now look out. “

Innovations
The company continues to focus on new full beers. “Introductions we have done the past three years have now contributed nearly seven hundred million.”

Amstel Radler is among the most successful introductions of the group. The brand continues its tickets on include tequila lager Desperados and the Belgian abbey beer Affligem

(By: Herman Silent).

One of the eight breweries Heineken in Russia. The brewer took the Shikhanbrouwerij in Sterlitamak decade geledne largely. © Heineken