Carlsberg Okocim hopes acquisition strategy will soon begin to pay off

Carlsberg Okocim, the nation's number three brewer, expects its profit ability to rise sharply in the coming years thanks to restructuring and recent acquisitions of smaller local brewers. The company's Chief Executive Marcin Pirog said on Tuesday that the firm, planned to increase its sales by 10%. Last year the margin came in below 1% after the company's operating profit reached nearly zl. 8 million on consolidated sales of more than zl. 1 billion. Last year Carlsberg Okocim, whose market share doubled to 14% following several takeovers in the competitive local market, posted a net profit for the first time in four years. In its financial plan for 2003, Okocim wants to increase its beer sales by a tenth to around four million hectolitres. (Parkiet, p. 4; Reuters) J.K.