Zywiec group to continue investing in modernization to increase market share

The country's biggest beer producer, Heineken-controlled Grupa Zywiec, plans to spend a further zl. 340 million on the modernization of its breweries. Representatives of the stock-listed company stress that previous investments in Warka, Lezajsk and Zywiec have produced significant results. The company spent zl. 100 million last year on transportation, warehouse expansion and buying crates. "Further investments will be financed from our own sources, but we might also take out some loans," said Zywiec president Nico Nusmeier. Consolidated net profits of the group have jumped by 265% and amounted to zl. 81 million after six months of 2002 in comparison to same period last year. Although the company has managed to increase its market share from 31% to 32%, Nico Nusmaier claims that his company can in the long term regain its 38% market share. According to the Union of Breweries' Employers (ZPPP), Grupa Zywiec placed 4.03 million hectoliters of beer on the market in the first half of 2002, while the second biggest domestic player, Kompania Piwowarska sold 3.83 million hectoliters. (Puls Biznesu, p. 4) M.M.