News Page:    <<   1  2  3  4  5   >>  Sources: --- all --- Company news drinktec 2009 E-Malt.com Search News:     21.06.2010   Kenya: Excise duty on beer raised by KES11     ( E-Malt.com ) The KES997 bln budget unveiled on June, 9 by Kenya’s finance minister, Uhuru Kenyatta, stipulates an increase in excise duty on beer, The New Vision reported on June, 10. Excise duty on beer went up from KES45 to KES55 and that of malt beer up from KES54 to KES65. East African Breweries Ltd has reacted to the news by announcing an increase in the prices of its products effective June 11, 2010, Agra-net.com reports. "Due to the tax increase on our products, we have had to increase prices effective June 11, 2010," EABL said in a published statement over the weekend. According to the new prices, Tusker Lager (500ml) now retails for KES90, Tusker Malt KES95, Pilsner (500ml) KES90, Guinness (500ml) KES100 while the two white cap brands - lager and light, will retail at KES100. According to an AllAfrica.com report, Keroche Breweries is projecting that a majority of low income earners might be locked out of the bottled beer cadre, as they seek cheaper options. The increase has come at a time when the local beer market has been eroded by slowed economic growth and high cost of production. In contrast though, depending on the location of the retailers mostly bars and restaurants, the prices vary from KES100 to KES250 for a 500ml bottle of beer. The increase in prices will therefore definitely trigger a ripple effect on prices enjoyed by the consumers countrywide, in similar patterns. "We are still running some scenarios around the next tax increase, however, the increase of KES11 per litre is quite high, and we have been forced to adjust our retail prices," Mr Ken Kariuki, EABL's corporate affairs director said. "We have, however, begun reaching out to the government to see how best we can work on a solution that is mutually beneficial." In his speech, the minister asserted that the increase is a moderate adjustment to factor inflation. Mrs Tabitha Karanja, chief executive officer of Keroche Breweries whose brands Summit Lager and Summit Malt have gone up by KES5, fears that sales might drop, as the move to increase excise duty will scare away potential drinkers. "We are new in the beer business and what the government is doing is scaring away potential investors. With the prevailing hard economic times and now a price increase, beer is not going to be an option for many Kenyans who are struggling to make ends meet," Mrs Karanja said. "The government should reduce the rate of taxation if it is to encourage more people to use these products. In the end, when more people drink, more revenue is generated and hence more money for the government, that's how I understand it," she added. However, in what might further put more pressure on the beer market segment and push more consumers to cheap spirits, the minister deleted the provision that prohibited packing or selling of alcoholic beverages in containers of less than 250 ml. This provision was introduced in 2004 as a means to discourage packing in sachets, which was considered to encourage underage drinking.   21.06.2010   Latvia: Beer preferred by most Latvians     ( E-Malt.com ) Beer is still the most popular beverage among Latvia's male population, an SKDS survey revealed this month. 45% of men named beer as their favorite, and its popularity among women has grown by 10% since last year. The survey also showed 27% of consumers admit to buying cheaper brands of beer this year, with 83% vowing to return to their usual brand after the economic crisis is over. There has been a 12% drop in consumers purchasing beer costing 60 santims or more in stores, while the economical segment (i.e. beer costing 40 santims or less) has grown by 9%. However, 89% say they enjoy trying new brands that appear on the market. 47% say they remain loyal to one or a few specific brands.   21.06.2010   The Czech Republic & Azerbaijan: Czech brewery opened in Azerbaijan     ( E-Malt.com ) The Czech company Destila Brno has officially opened the Baki-Praqa Brewery in the Novkhani village outside Baku, the Czech Embassy in Azerbaijan reported on June, 17. The brewery's capacity will be 1.5 million litres per year. Czech technologies, recipes and raw materials will be used to produce high-quality pilsner-type beer.   21.06.2010   Venezuela: Chavez is seriously after beer     ( E-Malt.com ) Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez has ordered the military to crack down on businesses selling beer on the streets or after legal hours, The Associated Press reported this week. "Armed forces: Any truck that goes around selling beer in the barrios, they must be caught," Chavez said in a televised speech. "And not only trucks. There are liquor stores open at any hour where people can go and buy liquor. What is that?" President Chavez is considering raising taxes on alcohol and cigarettes. Venezuelans' taste for beer and Scotch whisky is an irritation to the leftist president, and he raised liquor and cigarette taxes three years ago while calling for similar measures — to little effect. As we have already reported, Chavez is attacking the country's largest food producer, Empresas Polar, which sells the country's leading brand of beer, Polar. Chavez has ordered the expropriation of some of Polar's warehouses, and has warned he could decide to take over more of the company. If the government did take over the Polar brewery, it would be shut down, he has warned.   17.06.2010   New additive Oxylink™ and Grinding & Dispersion equipment to be represented at Chinacoat 2010    ( Company news ) Buhler will be represented at the Chinacoat 2010 in Guangzhou, P. R. China from September 27 - 29, 2010. Buhler business unit Nanotechnology introduces its new functional additive Oxylink™ to the Asian market and the business unit Grinding & Dispersion presents process solutions for manufacturing inks, paints and coatings. Since its inception in 1996, the CHINACOAT (The China Int'l Exhibition for Coatings, Printing Inks and Adhesives) exhibition has been the key event for coatings, printing inks and adhesives suppliers who wish to enter, expand and consolidate their positions in this market. As an annual event, Chinacoat alternates between the cities of Guangzhou and Shanghai. CHINACOAT provides a global platform for exhibitors to meet decision-makers from this industry across the world, from China to Asia Pacific, Europe and Middle East. In terms of size, number of exhibitors and visitors, CHINACOAT is now one of the largest coatings shows in the world today. - Asian Rollout of Oxylink™: “The additive for better waterborne coatings” Buhler dedicates a special booth to present solely its new paint and varnish additive Oxylink™ for waterborne coatings at booth number 10K09/11/1.3. The innovative additive comprises a performance-optimized formulation of nanoparticles in water. Oxylink™ increases the cross-link density of waterborne resin systems which results in an enhanced overall performance including increased MEK rub resistance, blocking and humidity resistance, as well as other resistance properties. In addition, Oxylink™ reduces the time to further processing of the coated substrates. The additive strengthens the film by direct chemical interaction of its tailor-made nanoparticles with the functional groups of the polymeric binder. As Oxylink™ doesn’t change the in-can stability of the formula it is particularly interesting for 1-pack systems. Oxylink™ was developed by Bühler PARTEC GmbH in Germany. PARTEC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Buhler’s business unit Nanotechnology. It specializes in the processing and refining of nanoparticles (1-100 nm) into ready-to-use performance additives. - Trend setting Buhler solutions in wet grinding and dispersing technology The Buhler business unit Grinding & Dispersion is bringing the global wet grinding and dispersing technology industry standard to China! Due to the rising requirements regarding grinding efficiency and product properties like particle size, colour strength or gloss the leading manufacturers in the inks, paints and coatings industry are scanning the market for new production solutions. Buhler with its 150 years of experience in the wet grinding and dispersing industry is introducing the latest equipment and production concept in order to increase performance, efficiency and profit. In addition the business unit Grinding and Dispersion will strengthen its presence in China by opening their RADEC (Research and Development and Education Centre) in Wuxi by September 2010. Buhler will offer their customer the ability to conduct application trials with their product by using the latest grinding technology of Buhler. (Bühler AG)   14.06.2010   India: Delhi beer consumption expected to touch new record this summer    ( E-Malt.com ) Thanks to a scorching heat Delhi’s beer shops sold more than 1.5 mln cases of beer in May, The Hindustan Times communicated on June, 6. "A total of 15,228,29 beer cases were sold last month in the capital," said a senior excise official. The city’s beer consumption should touch a new high this summer. In April, beer sales amounted to 14 mln cases. While there is a growth of about 30 per cent in beer market, the Excise Department is hopeful of meeting the target of Rs 1700 crore in the current fiscal. Delhi’s shops have about 37 brands of beer in their range. "Though mild beer caters to a large part of the beer consumers, the strong beer sale is also picking up," the official said adding, "there is also a market for canned beer." The sale of beer generally picks up from March and the demand peaks during May-June every year. The beer market in India, including Delhi, offers vast scope for growth, the official said.   14.06.2010   Jamaica: Brewer Red Stripe may lay off workers as declining beer sales hit profits    ( E-Malt.com ) Jamaican brewer Red Stripe Company may have to lay off workers in order to counter shrinking profits, Jamaica Observer reported on June, 9. The company’s profits have been hit by lower beer volume sales as a result of excessive increases in tax. Red Stripe notified last week the Jamaica Stock Exchange that it would undergo an organisational review of its brewery operations at the end of June. “The company, which has over the past year implemented cost reduction strategies in all areas, is further reviewing its operating structure to compete effectively in today’s business environment,” said the release to the JSE. “This review will be completed in two weeks with all impacted employees receiving redundancy packages including outplacement support which covers career, financial and psychological counselling, as well as overall support in dealing with the loss of employment during these difficult times. Red Stripe will also assist in vocational training for affected employees who are desirous of developing a new skill.” Red Stripe boss, Al Barnes said that challenges posed by economic conditions and the competitive environment have pushed the company to examine its “business model now to stop the performance decline and adjust to deliver long-term business sustainability.” The decline, the brewer said, was set on by “tax inequities against beer that were introduced last year have put us in a significantly non-competitive position vis-à-vis other alcohol categories, particularly as beer is a highly elastic category.” “Red Stripe Light now pays 1000 per cent more tax than an average tonic wine; this inequity has severely impacted us,” Barnes added. Last May, the Government in one of its five tax packages in 2009 increased SCT on beer to 25 per cent from previous range of 16 to 21 per cent. Higher cost of sales and lower production volumes resulted in a 35 per cent decline in Red Stripe’s net profit to $716 million for the nine months ending March 31, 2010.   14.06.2010   Japan: Brewers hoping to profit by Soccer World Cup    ( E-Malt.com ) With the FIFA World Cup starting on June 11, Japanese brewers are hoping the national team can defy the odds and progress to the later stages of the tournament so that beer-drinking fans will give their sales a much-needed boost, The Wall Street Journal communicated on June, 10. A good showing at the World Cup by the nation's team nicknamed 'Samurai Blue' could lift sales of team sponsor Kirin’s brews. Kirin has perhaps the best chance of seeing a World Cup-bounce to its bottom line. As a long-running sponsor of the national team, the brewer’s suds are the tipple of choice for many soccer fans in Japan, and the company is selling a special World Cup-themed beer at 25,000 supermarkets and liquor stores nationwide. Kirin didn’t provide a specific sales target for June, but said that during the 2006 World Cup in Germany, “point of sale” sales volume — which includes outlets such as supermarkets and convenience stores — saw a 4% rise from the previous year. Although that’s not an overall figure, it’s still not bad for a tournament in which Japan failed to make it beyond the first round. The same result again, or better, would be welcome relief for Japan’s beer industry, which faces an uphill battle for long-term sales growth due to a stagnant economy and an ageing population. The scale of that challenge was captured by data released today by the five major breweries, which showed an 8.4% on-year drop in sales of cases of beer in May to a record low for the month. But hopes for a World-Cup sales spike may yet be dashed by a general lack of enthusiasm for a competition in which an ill-prepared Japanese team is expected to struggle against tough first round opponents. That pessimism has already been reflected in weak domestic sales of flat-screen television sets and travel packages to South Africa. And beer companies should remember another sporting event before getting their hopes up - the inaugral World Baseball Classic in March 2006, which Japan eventually won. The tournament was sponsored by Asahi Breweries, but despite a big promotional push from the company its sales in the month dropped 5%.   14.06.2010   United Kingdom: Cobra Beer to attack pubs    ( E-Malt.com ) Molson Coors has confirmed pubs remain “of great interest” for its Indian beer brand Cobra, despite a strategy targeting curry houses and the off-trade for growth since it acquired the brand last year, Morning Advertiser communicated on June, 7. “The whole pub channel is of great interest to us and we have plans in the pipeline to target the sector in due course” said Adrian Davey, MD of the Cobra Beer Partnership. “We'll target pubs that serve curry, obviously, but fortunately there are a lot of those these days.” Davey said the company was already in talks with several pub companies about promotions and activities but said he was unable to reveal details as yet. This week the brewer celebrated the first bottling of Cobra out of its flagship Burton brewery — from this week all Cobra will be brewed there — and the launch of a £5 mln marketing campaign for the brand. This represents a “significant investment” and the most that has been spent on the brand since it joined the Molson Coors portfolio, Davey said. “The campaign has been designed to build on the association between Cobra and curry with eye catching press ads and a radio campaign running alongside. Social networking sites such as Facebook are also a focus for us, with our 75,000 fans, which we plan to build on with a raft of innovative activities,” Davey added.   11.06.2010   Affiliation is sealed: Reimelt is now called Zeppelin.    ( Company news ) The affiliation of the Reimelt Henschel GmbH to the Zeppelin Group, Friedrichshafen, will now be clearly recognizable by the new name and corporate presence. There have been many developments since the official integration last year. Because both companies - Zeppelin as well as Reimelt – are counted among the global leaders in system construction in raw material handling, synergies were determined, subsidiaries were merged, the business divisions were defined and now, last but not least, the company names have been changed: since June 1st 2010, the Reimelt Henschel GmbH operates under the name of Zeppelin Reimelt GmbH and the Zeppelin Silos & Systems GmbH is renamed as Zeppelin Systems GmbH. „With this step, it should be made clear that Reimelt now belongs to Zeppelin Systems GmbH, a company which has grown to over 1,200 employees and a business volume of approximately 300 million euro“, stated Zeppelin CEO Rochus Hofmann. „On the other hand“, said Hans-Jürgen Sussann, CEO of Zeppelin Reimelt GmbH: „We did not want to renounce the established brand name „Reimelt“, which has existed for over 125 years and which stands just as much for quality, reliability and improvement as the „Zeppelin“ name“. Rochus Hofmann is satisfied: „We have optimally positioned our company for the future to meet the challenges of the international market’s demands. By means of this integration, the customers of the Zeppelin Reimelt GmbH can continue to expect the best quality, the most modern technology and extensive service.“ The Zeppelin Reimelt GmbH plans, develops, manufactures and installs process-technological systems for the handling of powdered, viscous and liquid raw materials as well as mixers for the food, beverage, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, plastics processing and chemical industries. Fat-frying systems for the food industry and compounding systems for the plastics processing and chemical industries are also included in the Zeppelin Reimelt GmbH portfolio. High quality key components for process technology are the basis for smooth operating and therefore economical production processes. Due to this fact, Zeppelin Reimelt GmbH manufactures their own components themselves for the rigorous requirements of industrial production. Just as there is a great variety of industry branches, there is also an equally great variety of corresponding requirements. In order to be able to exactly satisfy these varying needs, Zeppelin Reimelt GmbH will continue to have its individual business divisions which will, with immediate effect, operate under new names: - Zeppelin Reimelt GmbH, Food Technology, Rödermark Systems and components for the bakery, food and confectionery industries - Zeppelin Reimelt GmbH, Liquids Processing, Landau Systems and components for the beverage, food, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries - Zeppelin Reimelt GmbH, Henschel Mixing Technology, Kassel Systems and components for the plastics processing and chemical industries The extensive Zeppelin Reimelt GmbH know-how means system concepts without interfaces. The development of integrated system solutions is also necessary for a smoothly operating process automation. As a globally active company with locations in all of the worlds important commercial centers and with production facilities in Germany, Belgium, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Brazil and China, Zeppelin Reimelt can ensure that our customers always have the most modern technology – innovative and dependable for their maximum financial success. (Zeppelin Reimelt GmbH)   10.06.2010   NOWOFOL’s new film: NOWOPAQUE    ( Company news ) Naturally white – warm and velvety to touch NOWOPAQUE is the name of the new offspring from the NOWOFOL® range of film products. With its high opacity level, it simply outshines pigmented white films. Due to its velvety appearance, printed images don’t just look better – the printability itself is significantly improved by the characteristic surface. In packaging applications the ‘dry hold’ with its extra special surface feel stands out especially. NOWOPAQUE’s cutting characteristics also make it a really impressive newcomer. In addition, its reduced density makes it extremely attractive in financial terms. Of the film’s physical properties, the high e-module, low linear expansion and the high impact resistance should be emphasized. Just as with other MDO polypropylene films, the possible usage options are multifaceted and diverse: labels or synthetic paper, laminating films in combination with other materials, self-adhesive films in packaging (tear strips) or technical applications (adhesive tapes), in banding systems or cable bundling. Needless to say, the NOWOPAQUE films are suitable for direct contact with foodstuffs. (Nowofol Kunststoffprodukte GmbH & Co. KG)   08.06.2010   South Africa: SAB planning to capitalise on the massive future of kegged beer    ( E-Malt.com ) Selling more brands of beer on tap will serve as a growth catalyst for South African brewing giant SAB, which is trying to come up with ways to counter competition in the beer market, Business Report communicated on June, 4. The company has a diverse portfolio that encompasses both mainstream and premium beers but it has decided to increase its tap penetration in the market by 50 percent in the year ahead, Harald Harvey, SAB's executive director of strategy and business support, said at a press briefing this week. The company would not disclose the number of taps it had at beer outlets. "We are working on a number of innovations, one of which is the introduction of more sub-zero (temperature) fridges, as well as the establishment of more draught facilities," Harvey said. He said the increase in the number of taps would mainly be in urban areas, and SAB would also be installing some taps in taverns in township areas for the first time. "SAB ran a pilot project in the Western Cape between November last year and March whereby Carling Black Label draught taps were installed in nine outlets in urban areas and the response was extremely positive from consumers, including from females, which could suggest the start of a new market being opened up," Harvey said. The group, which owns the Carling Black Label, Castle, Castle Lite and Hansa brands, highlighted the "continuous evolvement of the competitive landscape" as a challenge, adding that Amstel distributor brandhouse was becoming "more organised". In the year to March, brandhouse's share of the total beer market grew 2.2 percentage points from 9.9 percent to 12.1 percent of the overall market, while its share in premium beer grew 5.9 percentage points from 52.2 percent to 58.2 percent of the total premium market. SAB's market share has declined from a level of 97.5 percent to about 88 percent due to the growth of these competitors in the market. A brandhouse spokeswoman has confirmed that the partnership's Sedibeng brewery did not produce draught beer. "Brandhouse distributes both Windhoek draught and Amstel draught in South Africa, which are sourced from the appropriate location for a particular brand," she said. Harvey said SAB would focus on sustaining and deepening its investments and efforts into its "power brands": Castle, Carling Black Label, Castle Lite and Hansa Pilsner. One of the group's key strategies in the year ahead was to share superior routes to market. "We are increasing penetration, reach and service in the formal market across the country and will be executing a substantially stepped up draught roll-out programme," Harvey said. Absa Investments analyst Chris Gilmour said SAB had a "massive built-in advantage" in that it had the capacity to promote "kegged beer" or beer on tap at unprecedented levels: "This may serve as a growth catalyst for the company. "Kegged beer has a massive future and SAB can already capitalise on that as they have the distribution model already," he said. Gilmour believed South African beer drinkers preferred bottled beer, but drinkers would slowly start moving to draught beer, if it was promoted more regularly and SAB expanded its capacity. The company also said it had recently reached an agreement with Fifa and the World Cup host cities to provide beer at the Fifa Fan Fests during the tournament. The beer would be unbranded although there would be some level of product identification.   08.06.2010   United States: AB InBev wants the rights of small brewers in Illinois     ( E-Malt.com ) Brewing giant AB InBev has filed against the Illinois liquor control commission a suit claiming local brewers have an unfair advantage, WSIL communicated on June, 4. Small brewers are allowed to distribute product themselves and InBev wants the same right, it is reported. Chuck Stuhrenberg, the owner Big Muddy Brewing who makes a living delivering a case of beer at a time, says he’s never thought that would catch the attention of a multi-billion dollar beer company. "Their argument is that we are unfairly competing with them since we are allowed to self distribute," he says. His business produces about 400 barrels of beer a year. So small, by law he can cut out a distributor. Starview Vineyard owner Kate Sensmeier says most local wineries do the same. "A distributor is not going to take two or three cases up to Springfield for me," she says. Local wineries may only deliver a few bottles of wine at a time. It's a practice that wouldn't be profitable to large distributors. So if small wineries or brewers lose the right to distribute their product, it would be bad for business. "So it's really unfortunate, if it goes away then we will have to cut jobs here," says Sensmeier. The lawsuit could go another way. If InBev earns the right to distribute their own product, Stuhrenberg wonders what's stopping Coors, Miller or anyone else from doing the same thing. "Right away it will affect many jobs in the distribution industry in the state of Illinois," he says. Both Starview and Big Muddy Brewing only produce a tiny fraction what InBev puts out. They're concerned changing the rules would change what they do for a living. "Southern Illinois is becoming known as a tourist destination for both the wineries and craft brewing. To take that away would be really devastating to the area" says Sensmeier. There's a hearing on the case set for later this month.   08.06.2010   Venezuela: Polar brewery workers demand ask the government let them     ( E-Malt.com ) Workers of Venezuelan brewer Polar ‘are aware that they d not want to be nationalized’, Rafael Rosales, a labor leader of the brewery, was quoted as saying by El Universal on June, 3. Cervecería Polar’s employees have held two meetings after President Hugo Chávez threatened on June, 2 to nationalize the company. The meetings are intended to discuss workers' fear about their future if threats become true. "All workers are nervous for what the President (Hugo Chávez) said. But his words gave us more strength to keep fighting for everything. He (Chávez) is the one who uses the media, but we are aware that we do not want to be nationalized," Mr. Rosales said. "Do not touch our jobs. Let us work in peace," Rosales asked the government.   07.06.2010   Germany: This year’s Oktoberfest to charge more for beer     ( E-malt.com ) Munich’s Oktoberfest will charge 2.5 percent more for beer this year on average, Bloomberg communicated on May, 26. Breweries will charge between 8.30 euros and 8.90 euros for a liter, or “mass,” of beer at this year’s Oktoberfest from September, 18 to October, 4, the city of Munich has said on its website. Last year’s prices ranged from 8.10 euros to 8.60 euros. The price increase defies near-zero inflation as the German economy struggles to grow. Still, the European debt crisis may ease the financial burden on Lederhosen-clad beer lovers exchanging dollars because the single currency has lost 16 percent of its value against dollar since Oktoberfest 2009. Oktoberfest was first celebrated in 1810, to honor Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig’s marriage to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. The festival was gradually moved into September to take advantage of the warmer weather. About 6.5 million litres of beer and 111 oxen were consumed at last year’s beer festival, which generated 800 million euros in revenue, according to the festival’s website. (E-malt)   03.06.2010   In-tek IR Series of on-line Sensors & Systems    ( Company news ) B+S Process Instruments, a division of Bellingham + Stanley Ltd., launch a complete new range of innovative on-line sensors for the food and beverage industry. The in-tek IR Series of on-line infrared sensors utilising ATR technology, includes single parameter versions for the measurement of dissolved sugars (°Brix), Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Alcohol (ABW) or Organic Acids (%TA) for individual location within a process line, whilst in-tek multi-parameter Systems provide total quality and yield control from a single sensor unit specifically suited to the soft drinks industry for real time end-point evaluation. Unlike traditional spectrometers that use transmitted light, Attenuated Total Reflection (ATR) requires source penetration of just a few microns to obtain accurate absorption results, allowing consolidation of all optical components in to a single stainless steel sanitary 3-A housing for direct mounting to the product line using standard Varinline® valve body assemblies. On-line mounting eliminates the need for high maintenance mechanical pumps and difficult to clean bypass loops often associated with this type of measurement. The Sensor Control Module provides connection to plant controllers or computers using Ethernet connection, with other industrial interface types such as analogue 4-20mA, EtherNet and Profibus available as optional extras. (Bellingham + Stanley Ltd)   03.06.2010   Poland: Good results despite all difficulties for SABMiller’s Polish subsidiary     ( E-malt.com ) Despite difficult fiscal and economic conditions, SABMiller’s Polish subsidiary Kompania Piwowarska (KP) posted on May, 21 good results for its fiscal year 2010 ended on March 31, 2010. Due to optimized business operations and an improved pricing policy, Kompania Piwowarska has recorded a 1.6% increase from last year in sales revenue in the fiscal year F10, ended on March 31, 2010. Those results were achieved despite a 2% decrease in volume of beer sold and significant overall decline in the brewing market. Lower sales were due to continuing economic slowdown, as well as the considerable increase of excise tax (by 13.6%, introduced in March 2009). Both factors contributed to lower consumption. In response to the decrease in sales, KP decided to adjust infrastructure and the number of employees by shutting down its brewery in Kielce as well as three distribution centres, which reduced overproduction and transportation costs, and brought additional benefits of synergy. The brewer has reached higher revenue; however, net profit was lower due to costs of restructuring and development projects. KP expects current investments in those projects to result in higher efficiency and profitability in the future. “Due to confusion caused by a significant market data correction published recently by Główny Urząd Statystyczny (Central Statistics Office, GUS), we will not provide our market share data. In the fiscal year ended on March 31, 2009 KP share was 42.6%. We expect the number to have increased since,” the company said. (E-malt)   03.06.2010   Russia & Costa Rica: Baltika beer reaches Costa Rica     ( E-malt.com ) Russia’s largest beer maker Baltika Breweries announced on May, 24 it has sent its first shipment of beer to Costa Rica. The supply contract was concluded at the Expocomer 2010 international commercial exhibition, held in Panama City in March. The Russian brewing industry was represented for the first time at this exhibition by Baltika’s range of products. In addition to Costa Rica and Panama, Baltika Breweries has been supplying other countries in the Caribbean area, including Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Cuba, for a long time. The company’s products are represented on the markets of eight countries throughout Latin America. Overall sales volumes for the region exceeded 250,000 litres in 2009. In Costa Rica, Baltika №7 Export and Baltika №0 Non-alcoholic beers will be sold in 0.5 litre glass bottles. The first shipment was for more than 14,000 litres. The assortment may be expanded in the future, Baltika said. Baltika sales will be concentrated primarily in the bars and restaurants on the country’s Caribbean coast. The average price for a 0.5litre bottle of Baltika will be around $2. (E-malt)   03.06.2010   The Czech Republic: Plzeňský Prazdroj launches specialty beers in bottles    ( E-malt.com ) In order to improve its position in the specialty beers market, Czech brewer Plzeňský Prazdroj will launch in June its Master specialty beer in bottles and release a new flavor - Master Zlatý (gold) 15°, the parent SABMiller communicated on May, 20. The Master beers were successfully introduced on tap in 2007. Until now, Master beer was available in only two varieties, both on tap: Master Polotmavý (amber) 13° and Master Tmavý (dark) 18°. You can already enjoy the taste of these specialty beers at 600 establishments. And now, Master will be introduced in bottles. "Increased demand for Master beers inspired us to introduce this bottled alternative, so that our customers can enjoy a Master wherever and whenever they feel like taking a moment to savor something special," senior business brewer at Plzeňský Prazdroj, Václav Berka, said. The Czechs still prefer traditional beers to the specialty ones. "In Germany, for example, specialty beer is a real hit and the number of specialty beers that are available, as well as customer demand, has increased in recent years," said Tiarnán Ó Haimhirgin, Director of Plzeňský Prazdroj. "We see the same potential in the Czech market, where we would like to meet our customers' demands by offering additional flavors, while also offering more options for when they can enjoy a dessert beer," he explains. (E-malt)   01.06.2010   Novozymes reveals knowledge on new antibiotic against resistant bacteria    ( Company news ) Scientists from Novozymes have now in collaboration with researchers at University of Bonn, Aalborg and others found the mechanism by which plectasin, an anti-microbial peptide, kills bacteria that cause severe infections in humans. Peptide antibiotics such as plectasin have retained antibiotic activity throughout evolution. The new knowledge shows that plectasin and other related peptides from invertebrates such as flies and mussels, targets the ‘Achilles heel’ of bacteria. Basically it binds and sequesters a precursor used in the cell-wall biosynthesis. As the bacteria cannot live without the cell-wall they are rapidly killed. Experiments with plectasin show that it is very difficult for bacteria to develop resistance towards it. Bacteria truly resistant to Vancomycin, one of the antibiotics of choice in combating resistant bacteria and which also binds the same precursor, are still sensitive towards plectasin, making it a promising new alternative to resistant infections. The groundbreaking results have been published in the May 28 issue of the internationally renowned journal Science. "When we originally identified plectasin we knew that it was a breakthrough for research into antimicrobial peptides,” said Per Falholt, Novozymes' executive vice president for Research & Development. “This new knowledge confirms it. We now know why it is almost impossible for bacteria to provoke resistance against plectasin.” Till now it has been anticipated that plectasin like other peptides acts on and disintegrate the membrane making the bacteria collapse. Hans-Henrik Kristensen, one of the scientist behind the new discovery said they set out to determine how exactly plectasin kills the bacteria because several observations suggested that it would be different. “What we know now is that plectasin acts by directly binding the bacterial cell-wall precursor. This explains the specificity of plectasin and the observation that much larger doses of plectasin compared to other membrane-active peptides can be safely administered” he said. Combating severe infections Plectasin works on bacterial infections that are resistant to conventional antibiotic. An improved derivative out licensed to Sanofi-Aventis, NZ2114, even targets severe diseases like pneumonia, endocarditis, meningitis and blood poisoning caused by bacteria like Streptococcus and Staphylococcus which are resistant to all existing antibiotics. This will make it an effective new weapon for doctors, who are currently powerless in the face of these infections. According to the WHO antibiotic resistance is a major cause of concern. The problem of resistance is global and in developing countries even common bacterial infections are showing resistance. In countries with poor healthcare services and where people cannot necessarily afford hospital care, the growing inability of doctors to treat common infections has serious implications for public health. "As the dangers of antibiotic resistance continue to grow throughout the world, it is important to constantly look for new substances and methods to combat potentially deadly infections,” said Per Falholt who also said that the company has more peptides in the pipeline: "Our strong technology platform allows us to screen for new peptides very efficiently and we have identified others which are targeted at completely different types of infections." Plectasin also recognized by Nature Novozymes identified Plectasin in 2002 but it was not until 2005 when Nature magazine published an article about the peptide that it became well-known by the global scientific community. In 2008 Novozymes granted Sanofi-aventis an exclusive worldwide license for the development, registration and commercialization of Plectasin. (Novozymes A/S)   25.05.2010   Denmark: Carlsberg beer supplies running dry as employees demand salary increases     ( E-Malt.com ) Union officials say the 1,100 Carlsberg employees on strike have returned to work to enable new negotiations with the brewer about wage increases, Business Week reported on May, 18. More than half of the company's workers in the country went on strike last week, suspending deliveries. Employees are demanding salary increases of between one and 1.5 percent, while the company is seeking to freeze wages this year. According to Carlsberg spokesperson Jens Bekke, the strike is the most serious the company has experienced in Denmark since 1985. The effects of the industrial action are now beginning to be felt on supermarket shelves and behind bars. Supplies are running out, especially in the west of the country, according to Bekke. The last lorries went out on May, 18 to Copenhagen and there have been no deliveries to the west of Denmark for over a week. Carlsberg has already diverted production of beer for some foreign markets including the US and Canada to other facilities to minimise the impact of the strike on business performance. Management is sitting down again today, on May, 18 with the Danish union 3F to seek a resolution to the current impasse. Bekke said it is in the interests of both parties to come to an agreement because the status quo is expensive for the company and employees alike. Carlsberg is losing business while workers are having to pay to strike because the industrial action has been declared illegal. The strikers are seeking a pay rise, arguing that Carlsberg is making bigger profits and should therefore share the spoils with employees. But the brewer claims that profits are largely coming from outside of Denmark and that efficiency in the country is comparatively low. Bekke said Carlsberg is looking to improve its productivity in Denmark by becoming more efficient in how it uses yeast and how it operates production lines. He said this means “working smarter, not harder”.   25.05.2010   Mexico: Grupo Modelo settles month-long strike at one of its breweries     ( E-Malt.com ) Mexican brewer Grupo Modelo said on May, 20 a more than month-long strike at one of its breweries in southern Mexico had been resolved, which would allow the plant to restart operations on May, 21, Reuters communicates. The brewer of Corona beer did not elaborate on the resolution of the strike. Workers at the plant in Tuxtepec in the southwestern state of Oaxaca, walked off the job last month seeking unspecified revisions to their collective contract, Modelo said in April. The Tuxtepec brewery employs 1,100 workers, or about 3 percent of Modelo's workforce in Mexico, and can produce up to 16 million hectolitres of beer a year.   25.05.2010   Russia: Sun InBev launches Bud beer     ( E-Malt.com ) Sun InBev, the Russian subsidiary of the world’s No. 1 brewer AB InBev, announced on May, 19 the launch of AB InBev’s flagship brand, licensed for the Russian market as Bud. Sun InBev is proud to be the first in the AB InBev family to start producing Bud locally following the combination of Anheuser-Busch and InBev in 2008. In order to preserve the original taste and quality, Bud samples are regularly sent to Anheuser-Busch InBev’s brewery in St. Louis, USA, where the beer is checked by the company’s brew masters to ensure its quality and consistency are at the highest level. The brand will be launched nationally in Russia, with a focus on distribution through key national retail chains in all big cities.   25.05.2010   United Kingdom: Molson Coors launches three its brands in new format for the FIFA World Cup 2010     ( E-Malt.com ) Molson Coors is launching a new draught beer for the off-trade, Home Draught Kegs designed to fit into a home fridge, Mad.co.uk posted on May, 18. Made available in time for the FIFA World Cup, the 10-pints keg will be rolled out next month, and available at various supermarkets including Sainsbury’s and Morrisons. The £8 mln launch will be made available in three of Molson Coors’ brands - Carling, Coors Light and Grolsch. The kegs will have a recommended retail price of between £14 and £17 each.   18.05.2010   Azerbaijan: Baltika-Baku brewery ready to supply beer to neighbours     ( E-Malt.com ) Baltika-Baku is considering Turkmenistan as a possible export direction, Adam Tlehuray, Director General of Baltika-Baku LLC, was quoted as saying by News.az on May, 14. “In the autumn of 2010 we will begin exporting beer to this neighbouring country,” Mr. Tlehuray said. The company is also ready to start shipping its production to Caspian bordering countries, he added. Baltika-Baku produces about 10 beer brands, including a number of beers of the Baltika range. In 2009, the company brewed 30 mln litres of beer. The company’s major shareholder, Russia’s Baltika Breweries, continues to invest in improvement of activity of the plant in Khirdalan, Mr. Tlehuray said. Baltika finished acquisition of the brewery in Azerbaijan in August 2008. As a result, Baltika became a full owner of to 90% in Baku-Kastel brewery. Baltika-Baku is the first case of opening of a plant by Baltika beyond Russia.   18.05.2010   Japan: Kirin targets unusual market sector with its Free beer     ( E-Malt.com ) Kirin Brewery Co., one of Japan’s leading brewers, is targeting an unusual market sector with a campaign giving away cans of its new hit beer - mothers who have just given birth, The Independent reported on May, 14. The company is giving away a can of its product, named Free, to around 10,000 women who check out of around 80 maternity clinics in the cities of Tokyo and Osaka. The three-week campaign has not set off howls of protest, however, as Free has 0 percent alcohol and the company says it is aiming to win over new mothers who like a drink but would otherwise feel unable to have a beer because of the effect it might have on their newborn child. "Until recently there were no beers available that really had zero alcohol in them and new mothers, people who had to drive and people who do sports, for example, felt they were not able to have a drink," Haruka Higashimuki, a spokeswoman for Kirin Brewery, is quoted as saying. "Our research showed that they often really did want a drink and to relax or reduce stress, but they couldn't," she said. When Free was first released in April last year, demand was initially expected to be modest, with Kirin anticipating annual sales of 630,000 cases of the new beer, each case containing the equivalent of 20 633-mililiter bottles. That estimate was quickly raised to 2.5 million cases and then to 3.5 million cases. The final figure for the year eventually topped the 4 million cases mark. The brewer even had to run full-page adverts in national newspapers apologizing to consumers for shortages of the drink due to its popularity. As well as being alcohol-free, the beer is also cheaper than regular beer, with a 350-mililiter can of Kirin Free costing about Y150 (€1.14), while a regular beer around Y220 (€1.68) for a can of the same size. Kirin's competitors among the "Big Four" brewers here have been quick to follow up with their own products. Asahi Breweries was the first to come up with a rival, unveiling its Point Zero on September 1. Before the month was out, Suntory Holdings had released Fine Zero and Sapporo Breweries started shipping Super Clear.   18.05.2010   New Zealand: Taste for craft beer on the rise     ( E-Malt.com ) The recession has brought an unexpected change to the beer drinking habits of mature New Zealanders, Voxy.co.nz reported on May, 14. Sales of higher priced New Zealand "craft" beer are up 11 percent while mainstream beer sales have declined 5 percent according to research by the Brewers Guild of New Zealand. The Guild, which represents the country's 50 brewers, says that while sales value is up, it appears that individually we're actually drinking less. Total alcohol consumption, for example, fell 3.3 percent. Guild Chairman David Cryer says that's because premium traditionally brewed beers are much higher priced than main stream - on average $12.00 a bottle. So purchases tend to be single bottles to drink slowly while out in a bar or restaurant, or four packs for home consumption instead of six or dozen packs. "That's a marked change from the traditional two, three or more bottles in a session that has been so much part of the New Zealand culture for so long," he says. Mr Cryer cites the "lipstick" analogy - where in tough economic times people will opt for affordable, pleasurable luxuries such as lipstick, shoes and now crafted beer while forgoing other purchases inappropriate for the climate. He says that basically, it's becoming fashionable to pay a little more and take more time drinking a better, traditionally brewed New Zealand beer. He believes the increased popularity of "home grown" beers is due to the variety, more heightened taste and world class quality of the product. And he believes the nation becomes more discerning than Australians in what beer it chooses to drink. While premium beer sales in Australia grew 35 percent in the past year, they account for only 1 percent of that country's beer market. In New Zealand premium beer now accounts for 8 percent of sales. The Guild's members including DB and Lion Nathan, brew around 6.2 million litres of premium beer a year. The smaller brewers - avid beer enthusiasts - are spread around the country with clusters mainly in Nelson, Marlborough, Hawkes Bay, Auckland, Waikato and Canterbury. David Cryer says the figures are interesting because there's only a small if any selection of premium New Zealand brewed beers in most bars. However, supermarkets, particularly New World and Liquor land are giving greater support to New Zealand premium product, promoting a much wider range. This suggests New Zealanders are becoming more aware of the uniqueness of domestic beers and are seeking out premium brews at the expense of imported product. Mr Cryer says that if the premium beer sales trend continues, it could be at the expense of wine sales, it is reported.   18.05.2010   South Africa: SABMiller announces investments in FIFA Soccer World Cup    ( E-Malt.com ) The South African Breweries Limited (SAB) has invested an estimated R170-million to ensure the upcoming FIFA Soccer World Cup is a world class spectacle, the parent company reported on May, 11. These funds have been invested in infrastructure in SA's townships; Castle Lager campaigns and marketing in support of the World Cup; and a number of packaging innovations. SAB recently reached an agreement with FIFA and the host cities to provide beer at the FIFA Fan Fests during the tournament. The agreement follows a recent decision by Anheuser-Busch Inbev, the brewer of Budweiser which is the official beer sponsor of the 2010 World Cup, not to take up the opportunity of providing beer in the Fan Fests, although they will be using their pouring rights within the stadiums. Besides supplying beer to the fan zones, SAB has a comprehensive plan in place to ensure that the country is fully stocked and supplied with beer during the tournament. SAB estimates it will sell an additional 100 000 hectolitres of beer during the five week World Cup period, which equates to 30-million x 340ml beers. This is over and above normal consumption during the June/July period. SABMiller Plc has also patented an easy-to- open beer can that converts into a drinking cup when the top has been removed, part of an effort by the world’s second-largest brewer to reduce waste and violence at sporting events. The container will be introduced at the World Cup. The company plans to expand the use of the can at sporting events in the U.S. and Europe. The fully recyclable can will help cut back on potential “missiles” that belligerent spectators sometimes throw during events because it can be used to get refills once opened, Norman Adami, the managing director of SABMiller’s Johannesburg-based unit, said. It will also decrease the use of glass and plastic at stadiums where beer is poured into glasses, he said. The 440-milliliter (13-ounce) can will be sold under SABMiller’s Castle Lager brand, typically aimed at the low- to middle-income market, Adami said.   17.05.2010   Revolutionary Innovation at the Global Pouch Forum: the S-Pouch    ( Company news ) At the Global Pouch Forum in Clearwater Beach/Florida (from 11-13 May), S-Pouch Pak Co. Ltd presented in the booth of PPi Technologies of Sarasota/FL, its revolutionary range of ‘flexible bottles’, or in other words the perfect stand-up pouch to replace the PET-bottle and other packaging formats in the race to meet the environmental requests of consumers. The green credentials flexible packaging has in general, are underscored by the “product-to-packaging ratio”, along with full life cycle analyses, published by the FPE (Flexible Packaging Europe). For example, in contrast with a metal can, plastic jar and flexible “brick-pack” (each holding 11.5 oz/325 gr of coffee), the flexible packaging wins hands-down. Its 29:1 ratio versus the can’s 5:1 and the jar’s 3:1 clearly shows “flexible packaging as the most resource-efficient.” But innovations continue. In contrast to the traditional stand-up pouch, S-Pouch Pak Co. Ltd made a tube as body and sealing not one but two gussets (one at the bottom and one at the top with the spout) into the tube. The pouch not only looks like a bottle but stands more perfect and stabile and doesn’t tip over when half emptied as most of the triangular tapered traditional stand-up pouches do. This revolutionary S-Pouch design has more advantages as it can be filled up to 90-97% of the pack height or in other words the same content offers a reduction in pouch size of up to 20%, resulting in 15-20% material reduction in comparison to the already eco-friendly standard stand-up pouch. The S-Pouch can be made from any film material while the spout, positioned outside the printed area (as it is sealed in the top gusset), is made from a food grade material. S-Pouches are available in sizes from 200ml up to 5,000ml. - The H-, J- and Z-Pouch And again innovation continues. The S-Pouch, as an alternative to the PET-bottle and an improvement of the stand-up pouch, is followed by the H-pouch, the J-Pouch and the Z-Pouch. With a one-hand carrier-handle at the top, the s-pouch, now baptized h-pouch, is easy to carry with one hand, while the pouch is suitable for packing 2000ml to 5000ml, with a relevant large sized spout. The j-pouch, the revolutionary jar shaped s-pouch, represents a really jar shaped flexible packaging. The j-pouch has, like the s-pouch, a nearly 100% filling capacity, a spout in the upper left side, and a carrier-handle on the other side. The j-pouch pours liquid as easy as a glass jar, up to the last drop. To meet the requirement for convenience in snack-packs, the company added a zipper to the s-pouch design, resulting in the most unique zipper pouch ever made. The, so called, z-pouch not only has the full filling capacity of the s-pouch and its flat base, but also a reclosable zipper on the upper side, which opens as wide as the size of the bag. For more information visit www.s-pouch.com. (S-Pouch Pak Co. Ltd)   12.05.2010   India: The state of Kerala announces a 10% cut in beer taxes     ( E-Malt.com ) A 10 per cent cut in taxes on beer and wine proposed in the fifth annual budget of Kerala for 2010-11 by Minister for finance of the state Dr T.M. Thomas Isaac has left the beer traders and consumers in high spirits, literally, Indian Wine communicated on May, 6. As a result, the breweries all over the country plan to rush to Kerala to launch their brands of beer and dominate the market in a hope that the sale of beer are likely to shoot up. Undoubtedly, the firm that is likely to be greatly benefitted by this is Vijay Mallya’s United Breweries. Brands such as Kingfisher Strong, Kingfisher Lager, Zingaro, Sand Piper, London Pilsner Strong, Kalyani Strong are already favourites among consumers of Kerala. A spokesperson of Beverage Corporation reported that of the 8.36 lakh cases of beer that were sold last month, 6.6 lakh cases were of United Breweries. In the year 2009, 171.17 lakh of liquor cases were sold out at the outlets of Beverage Corporation alone. About 43 per cent of this was beer alone, it is reported.   12.05.2010   United States: Bud Light to become the official beer of National Football League     ( E-Malt.com ) The US division of the Belgium-based brewing giant AB InBev will make Bud Light the official beer of NFL, the United States’ richest sports league, starting in 2011, The Wall Street Journal communicated on May, 4. According to a person familiar with the terms of the deal, it is worth nearly $1.2 billion over six years. Bud Light will replace rival Coors Light, which is brewed by MillerCoors LLC, whose deal with the NFL will expire after the 2011 Super Bowl. A spokesman for Chicago-based MillerCoors said the company tried to reach a deal with the NFL but could not come to terms on the price. AB InBev’s US arm already sponsors 28 NFL teams and has advertised on 22 consecutive Super Bowls. "This gives Bud Light real ownership of professional football within the beer category," said Dave Peacock, president of the U.S. division. Bud Light is the best-selling beer in the U.S., but shipments of the beer declined last year for the first time since it was introduced in 1982.   12.05.2010   Uzbekistan: Carlsberg Uzbekistan starts brewing Baltika No. 7 beer under licence     ( E-Malt.com ) Carlsberg’s Uzbekistan subsidiary has bottled the first batch of Baltika No. 7 Export beer this week, Baltika Breweries reported on May, 5. This is the third beer from the Russian brewer’s Baltika brand line brewed under licence in Uzbekistan, it is reported. “The launch of Baltika No. 7 Export is a strategic move of our company, as we believe that the premium segment has the biggest growth potential in Uzbekistan, and the addition of the new brand will strengthen our position in this segment,” General Manager Evgeny Shevchenko commented. Baltika No. 7 Export is available in more than 50 countries of the world. In 2009, sales of Baltika beer brewed under licence in Uzbekistan amounted to more than 30 thousand hl. Besides Baltika No. 7 Export, the company produced Baltika No. 3 Classic and Baltika No. 9 Strong beers.   11.05.2010   SELF-ADHESIVE TECHNOLOGY - SPEED INCREASES, STOPS RESET TO ZERO    ( Company news ) P.E. LABELLERS SPA - PACKOLOGY exhibition 8-11 June 2010 in Rimini - stand.045 hall A3 The application of self-adhesive labels has been highly progressing in the last few years. Companies’ growing needs to apply brighter labels of greater value to their products push customers towards the adoption of this new technology. Furthermore, self-adhesive labels offer undisputed operational and economic advantages, such as lower changeover and maintenance times. For these reasons, P.E. has developed since quite a lot of time some of the most advanced self-adhesive labelling stations among those currently on the market. The various models – 40 mt/min, 60 mt/min, 90 mt/min, 120 mt/min and 150 mt/min with patented drive head – feature a modular configuration allowing a better operational ergonomics. The synchronization to the labeller carousel is fully automatic and very accurate, insomuch that, even during emergency stops, the containers being labelled, no rejection is produced in case of out-of-tolerance applications. The need for adjustments to sensors and encoders has been completely eliminated and all the parameters can be adjusted from the control panel which allows to store up to 200 different labels. Due to P.E.’s state-of-the-art technology and reliability in self-adhesive labelling, many customers of international stature have turned to P.E. to find solutions to their production issues. P.E. can actually offer extremely flexible or sophisticated self-adhesive labelling machines suitable for speeds ranging from 2.000 bph to 60.000 bph. “No-Stop” versions, which eliminate line stops – featuring double labelling stations or automatic reel splicing – are also available. MASTER labellers are furthermore prearranged for the installation of a centering system by means of cameras, according to capsule spots, notches, marks or glass weldings, allowing container orientation in definitely narrow spaces. As on all the other models, changeovers are carried out quickly and without tools. (P.E. Labellers S.p.A.)   07.05.2010   Malaysia: Carlsberg Malaysia to raise prices     ( E-Malt.com ) Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Bhd will increase the prices of its beer and stout products by an average of about 3% next month, managing director Soren Ravn was quoted as saying by The Star on April, 28. “We are trying to play catch-up with the rise (in price) of raw materials such as malt and hops which have increased 10% on average over the past five years,” he said. According to Mr. Ravn, the company had last year increased prices only “slightly”, taking into consideration the economic downturn of 2008 and its flow-through effect on consumers last year. It is understood that the average annual increase on Carlsberg products over the past five years is about 2%. The price increase would be industry wide, according to Ravn. OSK Research Sdn Bhd analyst Vincent Lim said the impact of the price increase on Carlsberg’s earnings, if any, would be marginal. “They have been doing this historically, it’s just simply to pass on costs to consumers. We don’t foresee earnings being bumped up,” he said. Asked about prospects, Ravn said the company had a “good feeling” about this year. “We think the industry will grow by about 2% after contracting last year.” For Carlsberg, it would ride on the synergies it would continue to create with Carlsberg Singapore Pte Ltd as well as further develop new products to capture higher sales, Ravn said. Carlsberg Malaysia, which is a 51%-owned unit of Denmark-based Carlberg AS, acquired Carlsberg Singapore for RM370mil in the fourth quarter last year. Carlsberg Malaysia has a profit guarantee of S$24mil from the acquisition for the financial years ending Dec 31, 2009 (FY09) and FY10. Chairman Datuk Lim Say Chong said the company, which enjoys the lion share of the local beer market, was expected to pay out 50% to 70% of distributable profits this financial year. The group distributed 69% of its FY09 net profit to shareholders. For FY09, Carlsberg reported a net profit of RM75.9 mln against RM76.1 mln in FY08. Among its most popular brands are Carlsberg Green, Skol, Royal Stout, Carlsberg Gold and Carlsberg Special Brew, which accounted for 95% of the company’s total sales last year.   07.05.2010   The Czech Republic: Thank God there are now microbrewers here     ( E-Malt.com ) The Czech Republic may be the nation with the world’s highest beer consumption per capita, but the Czech seem to be rarely drinking something different from the ubiquitous lager, AFP communicated on April, 30. Blame communism. Pale, bottom-fermented lagers were virtually all that was on offer back then, when central planners stifled small breweries in favour of cheap, mass-produced lager that kept the workers happy and tasted the same. The rush is on now, however, to offer a different taste, with the number of micro-breweries offering speciality beers nearly doubling over the past five years to forge a niche in the market. "The communists homogenised everything. They left pale lagers and from time to time someone made dark beer - and that was it," Martin Matuska, the owner of a micro-brewery, says. "Communist Czechoslovakia had no market for speciality beers," added Karel Kosar, head of the Czech Research Institute of Brewing and Malting. Some breweries would supply the traditional Christmas market with stronger premium beers, but it was really only after the collapse of communism in 1989 that the speciality sector developed. Kosar said that was partly thanks to an influx of tourists with more varied tastes, and partly thanks to Czechs returning from abroad having sampled what was on offer elsewhere. Still, it's taken time. From one speciality beer in 1989 there were 130 by 2004, but the real boom has been in the past half decade.By 2009 micro-breweries were producing 178 speciality and unusual beers and industrial breweries - keen to cash in on the trend - another 83. The average Czech consumes about 150 litres of beer a year, by some way the highest in the world. Lagers still overwhelm the market, making up more than 99.5 percent of the Czech Republic's total beer output, and in pubs usually cost less than a euro. "Czechs are said to be a nation of beer drinkers, but this basically means that they guzzle the cheapest stuff," said Martin Matuska's son Adam, a master brewer in Broumy, west of Prague. Technically speaking, the category of "special and unusual beers" refers to any beer other than pale lager with about 3-5 percent of alcohol volume. The prospect of offering speciality beers has led pubs in and outside the capital to gradually expand their supply, prompting increased production from brewers. Riding the wave, Martin Matuska - a master brewer himself with experience abroad - last year turned an outbuilding at his country home in Broumy into a brewery with a projected annual output of 800 hectolitres. Whereas drinkers previously would wash down their 10 lagers with six shots of peppermint brandy, now they would finish off with two of Matuska's stronger speciality beers, Adam Matuska, 20, said. "Now they are beginning to realise that beer can taste good, that it can be better," he said, "like this wheat beer we make, which people aren't familiar with although it has a long tradition." The Matuska brewery, relying strictly on natural ingredients used by the ancient Czech brewers, produces lager as well as catering for other tastes - pale, dark, wheat, strong wheat, India Pale Ale and so on. "When I decided to make these types of world beers, people said: 'No one's going to drink this, the Czechs are conservative.' But they are conservative only because they never had anything else," Martin Matuska said. Looking ahead the family would like to export beer - and even build a new brewery as a greenfield project. Jan Vesely, head of the Czech Beer and Malt Association, predicted a bright future as living standards rise and demand grows for more exclusive products. "Micro-breweries, which now make up three percent of the market, are like flowers on the lawn that make it livelier and nicer and that we all like," he added enthusiastically. "Thank God we have them."   07.05.2010   Ukraine & Belarus: Ukrainian and Belarusian brewers team up     ( E-Malt.com ) The Belarusian Brestskoye Pivo brewery has started contract manufacturing of beer for Ukrainian Obolon company, director of the company Oleg Kisel was quoted as saying by Black Sea Grain on April, 28. According to him, Brestskoye Pivo has made a trial consignment of two sorts of the Desant brand. The plans are to manufacture around 2 thousand hl of this beer on a monthly basis. In the future the output will depend on sales. The beer will be marketed in Belarus by Obolon’s dealer. At first Brestskoye Pivo will make several brands for Obolon. In the future the company plans to produce a German brand of the premium class. The company is currently in negotiations with one of the German companies. Oleg Kisel noted that the company is looking for an investor. “So far there are no potential investors. But the oblast authorities have taken a decision that there should be an investor. Whether will it be Obolon? So far no negotiations on this issue have taken place,” Oleg Kisel said. Brestskoye Pivo is one of Belarus’ biggest beer producers. The company was set up in 1971 as Brest plant of non-alcoholic beverages. In 2001 the company was reorganized into Brestskoye Pivo brewery. In 2009 the company’s output totaled Br59.1 billion (92.6% as against 2008).   06.05.2010   Automation inside - New pneumatic aseptic valves with integrated automation technology    ( Company news ) Photo: On the right GEMÜ 651, on the left the old version GEMÜ 650 with mounted pilot valve and electrical position indicator Automation inside is the guiding principle behind the development of the GEMÜ 651 stainless steel diaphragm valve for the pharmaceutical industry. The new valve is a compact unit comprising stainless steel diaphragm valve, pneumatic piston actuator, valve actuation, position indicator and field bus connection (e.g. AS interface). Integral automation, compact design, easier and faster installation / commissioning as well as the design recommendations of FDA and EHEDG in compliance with GMP are only some of the basic requirements this new product satisfies. In the past users needed three products to establish a functional unit. This comprised of a valve, solenoid and switchbox, which had to be assembled using valve-specific mounting kits. GEMÜ now provides a complete solution with the type 651. This requires very little mechanical installation and is ready for operation within just a few minutes thanks to the innovative SpeedAP function. An analogue travel sensor continuously detects the valve position. The data is evaluated via a microprocessor. This ensures simple, fast and automated commissioning of the valve, e.g. after changing the diaphragm. The GEMÜ 651 diaphragm valve is available as an "OPEN/CLOSE" valve or with integrated positioner as a control valve in the nominal sizes DN 4 – 25. The maximum permissible operating pressure is 10 bar with EPDM diaphragms and 6 bar with PTFE diaphragms. The maximum permissible operating temperature during sterilisation is 150°C. The valve is CIP/SIP capable. Its compact design makes it ideally suitable for use where space is at a premium, e.g. within valve batteries and as a component of valve blocks in multi-port design. The pneumatic actuator section of the housing is made from stainless steel, while the automation module located above is made from PP (polypropylene). The protection class is IP 65, electrical connection is established via a standard M12 circular connector. All versions such as 2/2-way valves, T valves, tank valves and multi-port valves are available as a valve body. The essential advantages for the customer are: - Lower price: As the design has resulted in a reduction of manufacturing costs, we have been able to lower the prices for the new valve between 10 - 16% compared to the conventional version, comprising the GEMÜ 650 valve and the GEMÜ 4222 combi switchbox. - Reduced costs for installation: Integration of the automation functions in the actuator does away with time and cost intensive installation, tubing and piping work. - Reduced operating costs thanks to rapid, automated commissioning, e.g. after changing the diaphragm. - GMP-compatible design through significantly "smoothed" outer contours. - Minimisation of potential faults such as leakages, connection and mounting errors as a result of integration. - Simplified logistics and materials management at the customer, there is now only one article number for the complete valve. - Detailed monitoring and diagnostic facilities, interference immunity due to AS interface. - Simple connection to other field bus systems via AS interface. (GEMÜ Gebr. Müller Apparatebau GmbH & Co. KG)   03.05.2010   Larox meets the filtration targets of the Biofuel Industry: Maximum Sugar Recovery, .....    ( Company news ) ..... Minimum Water Usage, Maximum Dry Solids One of the most critical steps of the biofuel production process is the ssolid-liquid separation as this can have a huge influence on how competitive a particular technology will be. Biofuels market is a hot topic and evolving very fast. The need for alternative transportation fuel sources increases, and the biofuel industry moves from food o non-food based biomass feed stocks. The industry is now facing new challenges to develop environmentally friendly processes which produce cost efficient commercially viable fuel alternatives. Larox is working closely with many of the Biofuel industry leaders to help optimize their filtration needs. With a broad product portfolio, testing and process consultation capabilities Larox has proven to be a viable solid-liquid separation partner to the Biofuel Industry worldwide. “Maximum sugar recovery, minimum water usage and maximum dry solids - these are the benefits achieved thanks to Larox filtration solutions”, says Mr. Kevin Schraden, Larox Business Manager. - Filtration for 2nd and 3rd Generation Feedstocks “As the biofuels industry is moving away from food based raw materials because of economic and political pressures, we have also focused our efforts on processes which use 2nd and 3rd generation raw materials such as wood chips, straw, grasses and other plant and agricultural wastes”, explains Mr. Kevin Schraden. “These other wastes including corn stover and cobs and pulp mill waste such as lignin are becoming more and more important, and with these raw materials we have also had very good filtration results.” Larox has successfully sold filters for biofuels demo plants in Japan, Finland and Canada, but due to the ongoing development, most of these projects are highly confidential. - No Standard Processes, No Standard Solutions Whether the feed stock is wood chips, grass clippings, corn stover, rice straw or some other bio-waste material, each process has its own unique challenges. Each biofuel process or variation within the same process changes the filtration characteristics of the slurry due to the variations in the feedstock, pretreatment used, feed particle size, particle size reduction due to shear pumps, residence time prior to filtration, solids content in slurry, slurry temperature, amount of washing required, etc. In biofuels, we can take advantage of the long experience and test data Larox has accumulated during 30 years, but we treat each filtration case as unique”, describes Mr. Joe Skafar, Larox Sales Manager. Larox is well positioned as biofuel industry's filtration partner thanks to the vast product portfolio and experiences. “Biofuel is a demanding application that requires flexibility in the process equipment. We have the ability to choose from several filtration products to determine which filter will best meet the objectives and can often handle multiple streams in the process as a result”, Mr. Skafar says. “We can offer filtration solutions for the most difficult process conditions including most forms of lingo-cellulosic conversion: enzymatic pretreatment, acid hydrolysis, solvent based de-lignification, fermentation processes and gypsum neutralization.” “Larox's broad product portfolio enables to find the right filter for each specific process. The highly performant Larox Pressure Filter (PF), for example, is an excellent choice for a maximum recovery of valuable sugars and dry solids, whereas our Gas Tight options with the RT/GT and the DS Filter are well suitable for solvent applications. Our ability to adjust our materials of construction for the specific requirements of these harsh applications is also a significant benefit”, he continues. - Active Participation in Industry Research In Finland, Larox participates in SugarTech project which is a cooperation project between VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, University of Helsinki and several industrial companies. In this three year project spruce, forest residue, birch and sugar cane bagasse are being studied as a raw material for production of sugars to be processed further to ethanol and other chemicals. “The project progresses in four, so-called, work packages including raw materials and feasibility, development of pretreatment methods, development of hydrolysis process and enhancing enzyme production. We follow the results very closely and try to learn as much as possible through this cooperation”, says Mrs. Leena Tanttu, Senior Engineer, Process Services, and Larox's representative in the SugarTech project. - Contacts Filtration solutions for biofuels, please contact the nearest Larox office, contacts at www.larox.com, or Mr. Kevin Schaden, Business Manager, phone +1 301 543 1226. (Larox Corporation)   30.04.2010   On 11.5.2010 the acceptance period for contributions submitted to the Golden Label Award will end    ( Company news ) The quality of the contributions submitted so far is clear proof of the trend towards increasingly sophisticated solutions in brand and product communication. This year's entries are really impressive. Just judge for yourself: visit our website http://brigl-bergmeister.kraftzone.com to view the contributions submitted and make sure your personal favourite achieves a top ranking by casting an “e-vote”. This rating will, however, not be part of the expert evaluation for the Golden Label Award, but will be rewarded with a special prize. If you don’t submit a contribution, you'll have no chance of winning the Golden Label Award! It goes without saying that not every label can be a winner. Considering the wealth of contributions submitted, there will only be a handful of winners. But only those who take part in the competition have a chance to win the Golden Label Award. Do not miss this opportunity. At any rate you will get some feedback on the performance of your label with respect to the review criteria. On Wednesday, 12.5.2010, two panels consisting of four experts each, one for marketing / design and one for printing technology / technical design, will determine the winners after thorough examination. The Golden Label Awards will be presented to the winners on 17 June in Vienna (Platinum Vienna) on the occasion of a gala event. (Brigl & Bergmeister GmbH)   30.04.2010   Zambia: Zambian Breweries beers get more affordable     ( E-Malt.com ) Zambian Breweries has announced a K500 reduction on regular glass bottle, which include Mosi, Castle and Carling Black Label, The Post Online communicated on April, 22. With the reduction which took effect on March 2010, the recommended retail price (RRP) for a 375ml regular glass bottle of Mosi, Castle and Carling Black Label is now K4,000 from K4,500, with further price reductions being extended to imported brands. Zambian Breweries marketing director Patrick Lead said the reversal from the increase announced last October followed recent reduction in excise duty from 60 per cent to 40 per cent in malt-based beer and from 30 per cent to 20 per cent for Eagle Lager. “Zambian Breweries has already reduced these prices and we are hoping that distributors and retailers will do the same in the market once they have cleared the old stocks,” Lead said. “It is expected that the full impact of the price reduction will take effect in a couple of weeks when old stocks purchased at old prices are exhausted. The reduction was made on malt- based Lager including Ale and Stout whose excise reduction is from 60 per cent to 40 per cent, and sorghum-based Lager including Ale and Stout whose reduction was from 30 per cent to 20 per cent.” Lead who hailed the reduction, which came though a Statutory Instrument issued by Ministry of Finance on March 26, 2010, said the move would bring local taxation in line with regional trends and achieve competitiveness of local beverages. He said the move would also clamp down the smuggling of beer into the country and increase revenue to Treasury. “Zambian Breweries Plc growth expectations have been enhanced following the recent reduction in excise duty from 60 per cent to 40 per cent in malt-based beer and from 30 per cent to 20 per cent for Eagle Lager,” said Lead.   27.04.2010   Belarus & Ukraine: Belarus starts antidumping investigation into Ukrainian beer imports     ( E-Malt.com ) Belarus has started an antidumping investigation into imports of Ukrainian malt beer following a proposal voiced by Belgospischeprom concern on behalf of Belarus' brewing industries, Prime-Tass reported on April, 17. In 2007 Ukraine supplied Belarus with 17.57 million litres of beer worth USD7.360 mln, 2008 – 42.37 million litres worth USD17.763 mln, 2009 – 42.77 million worth USD16.594 million. The average price of Obolon, Slavutich and Lvivske beer on Ukraine's home market in October 2009 was at USD0.875 per litre. Supplied on EXW terms, Ukraine-brewed beer was available at USD0.42 per litre, and USD0.381 per litre on DAF terms. In the meantime, the average value of beers imported to Belarus in 2009 stands at USD0.58 per litre. The dumping margin of malt beer export, according to Belarus' breweries, totalled 11.5% in 2009. As a result of Ukraine's dumping policy Belarus saw its malt beer sales drop 9.8% in 2009, which pushed the rate of home-made beer overstocking by 17%.   27.04.2010   Brazil: Beer packaging labels to show detailed nutritional information     ( E-Malt.com ) Beer packaging labels in Brazil will have to show detailed nutritional information, Embalagem Marca posted on April, 19. According to a judgement delivered late in 2009, manufacturers should display clear information about fat content (saturated and trans), carbohydrates, proteins, sodium, fibre, and, if applicable, vitamins and minerals. The judgement was delivered in December 2009 following an action brought by public prosecutors in Sao Paulo acting on consumer complaints. Public prosecutors said the lack of information was a violation of consumer protection legislation. Producers were given a period of 90 days to adjust.   27.04.2010   South Africa: SABMiller bracing up to Heineken challenge     ( E-Malt.com ) South Africa’s beer giant SAB will use its Carling Black Label brand to fight off the challenge from locally produced Heineken and Amstel, SAB MD Norman Adami was quoted as saying by Business Day on April, 23. According to the Managing Director, SAB would promote the strength and taste of Black Label, following a strategy that Miller Lite used to win market share from rival Budweiser Lite under Adami’s own tenure as Miller CEO. “You’re going to see us become increasingly assertive in making sure beer drinkers understand just how good a beer Black Label really is,” Adami said. Amstel, which since last year has been brewed in SA by distributor brandhouse, a Heineken- Diageo-Namibian Breweries joint venture, is the main brand that SAB’s new local rival is using to fight Castle Lite for beer market share. In the 12 months to December, Amstel had a 28.9% share of the premium beer market. Castle Lite had one-third of the market, Adami said. SAB also faces the risk, however, that Black Label drinkers, the predominantly township- based market that is growing in wealth and is highly aspirational, will choose Amstel as their premium beer over Castle Lite. Since local production started, Amstel is being produced in 660ml bottles that are close to the Black Label 750ml bottles and crucially — because this makes them cheaper — are returnable and fetch a deposit. Heineken bottles are not returnable, limiting their penetration into the township market. Such is the tension between the two that each has lodged claims against the other with the Advertising Standards Authority — SAB against Amstel and brandhouse against Black Label — for misleading or unfair advertising. Adami, making his second public address on the new competitive threat in as many months, said SAB had organised blind tastings of its own and rivals’ beers. Black Label, he said, outranked its premium rivals. Separately, the Competition Tribunal said earlier this week that hearings scheduled for next month into complaints of anticompetitive behaviour by SAB would take place only in August, due to the fact that a number of interlocutory, or technical, matters still needed to be resolved.   26.04.2010   Change at ELAU    ( Company news ) Photo: Andrea Barbolini (left) and Norbert Gauß After two years of an extremely successful business development, Norbert Gauß has decided to leave ELAU GmbH, a subsidiary of Schneider Electric. Gauß, who has worked at Schneider Electric for more than 15 years, has accepted a new challenge, outside the company. His successor at ELAU will be Andrea Barbolini, the longtime managing director of ELAU Systems Italia. Norbert Gauß, who has held a number of management positions at Schneider Electric for 15 years and at last the managing director of ELAU GmbH in Marktheidenfeld, has chosen to leave the company to accept the offer of a new challenge in the Munich area. In addition to managing Schneider Electric Motion in Lahr, Gauß took over the management of ELAU, the automation specialist for packaging machinery, in July 2008 in order to expedite its integration into the Schneider Electric group. He positioned the ELAU technology as one of the four pillars of the company’s new Flexible Machine Control platform concept. This concept will play a key role as Schneider Electric offers a complete range of controllers for machinery automation in the future. Gauß was also able to convince the top management group to establish an OEM Headquarters (headquarters for automation solutions in the machinery automation) at ELAU’s location in Marktheidenfeld to support the marketing of Schneider Electric's machinery automation solutions. As part of this plan, group management approved investments for construction of a new building to house ELAU. This structure, which will be completed by the end of 2011, will be located in the Altfeld industrial park near Markheidenfeld. The tenure of Norbert Gauß at ELAU was almost completely during the time of the economic crisis that started in the fall of 2008 that resulted in steep sales declines for a number of industrial companies, including the automation sector. But under his leadership, ELAU was able to cope with this difficult phase successfully. The company passed through the global crisis with a minimum decline in sales and a short period of reduced working hours that only lasted for three months. Starting 2010, a revival of business had begun enormously. As Gauß pointed out: “Compared with figures from the previous year, ELAU is currently experiencing the highest increase in incoming orders in its entire company history." Gauß is convinced that the new developed system generation PacDrive 3, that is currently being introduced on the market, will enable ELAU to continue the upward trend in the coming years as well. The top management group has followed the recommendation of Norbert Gauß and selected Andrea Barbolini as the new managing director of ELAU. Barbolini, managing director of ELAU Systems Italia, has been working for ELAU fore more than 15 years. He built up ELAU in Italy to a market leadership position in the packaging machinery automation. Gauß is convinced that Barbolini has the potential to develop ELAU as the global market leader in the company's target industry sectors. (ELAU GmbH)   26.04.2010   Südzucker pays EU substantial sums    ( Company news ) On April 26, 2010, Germany's Federal Agency for Agriculture and Food (BLE) released the numbers for EU agricultural aid for the year 2009. The amount shown for Südzucker AG Mannheim/Ochsenfurt is EUR 43 million. Payments Südzucker made to the EU are only partially considered in this amount. Of the reported amount, about EUR 30 million was from the restructuring fund. However, the payments totaling EUR 393 million made by Südzucker in the two previous years, which were not offset by any payments from the fund, were not taken into consideration. Südzucker's net position with respect to the restructuring fund is therefore that of a significant contributor. Within the framework of the sugar market regulation reforms, financial aid was granted to companies that permanently surrendered sugar production quotas and completely closed sugar factories. These payments were financed by European sugar producers, which contributed to the restructuring fund established for this purpose. Südzucker surrendered 313,000 tonnes of sugar production quotas and had to close two of its original eleven sugar factories in Germany. Südzucker also received about EUR 10 million in export refunds for exporting quota sugar to non-EU countries. In return for the export refunds granted, the sugar industry and beet farmers were charged a lump sum production levy of EUR 12 per tonne of sugar. Südzucker thus paid EUR 13.9 million for surrendering 1.16 million tonnes of sugar quota. However, this amount was not shown in the published numbers. A further portion of the EU payments, about EUR 3 million, relates to equalization payments made to Südzucker's farm operations (traditional business since 1836, focusing on experimental methods). These payments, which all EU farm operations receive, are for the cultivation of agricultural areas and are directly linked to numerous constraints (cross compliance), which are issued by the EU Commission. Companies are continuously checked regarding compliance with nature, environment, animal and consumer protection requirements. (Südzucker AG)   23.04.2010   Jungheinrich Returns to Profitability / Operative Turnaround Achieved After Eight Months    ( Company news ) Material Handling Equipment Market Recovers Jungheinrich AG has left a difficult 2009 fiscal year behind it. It was marked by the global economic crisis which also affected the material handling equipment industry significantly. The company faced a reduction in market volume of approximately 46 per cent in its core markets in Europe alone. Nevertheless, Jungheinrich succeeded in growing its share of the market. Extensive measures taken to manage the crisis and improve earnings enabled the company to return to operative profitability as early as in the autumn of 2009. Nevertheless, the company closed the year as a whole with a substantial loss, taking account of high one-off expenses. Jungheinrich expects the economy to post a marginal recovery in 2010, followed by a more favourable business trend than in 2009. Group net sales for the 2009 reporting year amounted to 1,677 million euros—some 22 per cent down on the year-earlier level (2,145 million euros). Domestic business posted a year-on-year drop of 16 per cent, while foreign sales decreased by 24 per cent. As a result, the foreign ratio declined by two percentage points to 72 per cent. All divisions were affected by the fall in sales, and new truck business was hardest hit, experiencing a drop of 34 per cent. The short-term hire and used equipment business followed, posting a decline of just 8 per cent. After-sales services displayed relatively stable development, shrinking by 4 per cent. Incoming orders decreased by 23 per cent to 1,654 million euros (prior year: 2,145 million euros). By December 31, 2009, the value of orders on hand from new truck business had dropped by 14 per cent to 208 million euros (prior year: 242 million euros). “By taking extensive adjustment and restructuring measures rapidly and resolutely, Jungheinrich achieved an operative turnaround after a mere eight months. Despite this, substantial one-off expenses resulted in a significant loss overall, to which we are reacting by reducing the dividend,” explained Hans-Georg Frey, Chairman of the Board of Management, at the balance sheet press conference on April 14, 2010 in Hamburg. Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) from operating activities were positive for 2009 as a whole, totaling 8 million euros. Including 80 million euros in one-off expenses, EBIT decreased to a negative 72 million euros (prior year: a positive 122 million euros). The corresponding EBIT return on sales fell to a negative 4.3 per cent (prior year: a positive 5.7 per cent). The EBIT return on capital employed (ROCE) declined to a negative 16.8 per cent (prior year: a positive 18.8 per cent). Net income decreased to a negative 55 million euros (prior year: a positive 77 million euros). Imputed earnings per share dropped to a negative 1.62 euros (prior year: a positive 2.26 euros). Despite the difficult situation, Jungheinrich made forward-looking investments in 2009 as well. Our capital spending on research and development amounted to 39 million euros, matching the previous year's level. Hans-Georg Frey commented: “Despite the economic crisis, we steadily expanded our range of products, supplied our customers with tailor-made premium solutions, and made progress with future-oriented technologies. Furthermore, we made strategic investments, for example to enlarge our Logistics Systems Division and to expand our Asian operations.” The Board of Management and the Supervisory Board of Jungheinrich AG will propose to the Annual General Meeting on June 15, 2010 that a dividend of 0.12 euros be paid for 2009 (prior year: 0.55 euros) per preferred share and that no dividend be paid (prior year: 0.49 euros) per ordinary share. The Jungheinrich Group had to reduce its permanent workforce considerably in the 2009 financial year in reaction to the huge decline in demand for material handling equipment. As of December 31, 2009, the Group employed 10,266 people (prior year: 10,178), 5,473 of whom worked abroad (prior year: 5,834), and 4,793 of whom worked in Germany (prior year: 4,950). - Current business situation and outlook for 2010 The slight recovery of the market for material handling equipment witnessed in the second half of 2009 continued in the first two months of this year. Worldwide demand rose by a combined 31 per cent in the months of January and February 2010 compared to the low comparable volume in the preceding year. In this period, however, Jungheinrich's core markets in Europe only posted moderate growth of 3 per cent. Jungheinrich's new truck business also benefited from this devlopment. In the first two months of 2010, the value of incoming orders, encompassing all business areas, increased by 4 per cent to 265 million euros compared to the year-earlier period (prior year: 254 million euros). During the same period, the value of orders on hand from new truck business rose by 11 per cent to 230 million euros. By the end of February 2010, net sales amounted to an accumulated 230 million euros, which was 8 per cent less than the 249 million euros recorded by the same time in 2009. This decrease resulted from the higher production volume in the beginning of 2009, which still benefited from the high level of orders on hand at the end of 2008. “In addition to the Group's continued consolidation, we are preparing for the onset of growth caused by a rise in demand in new truck business this year. Initial signs of this are visible in the market, which make us confident,” commented Hans-Georg Frey. Jungheinrich expects its business trend for 2010 to be more favourable overall than in 2009. The basis for this is the company's conservative prediction of a slight rise in incoming orders to about 1.7 billion euros and in consolidated net sales to more than 1.7 billion euros. Building on this and taking into account the consolidation measures, the Jungheinrich Group will return to profitability in 2010 and expects to generate positive operating income in low, double-digit million euro territory. Jungheinrich ranks among the world’s leading companies in the material handling equipment, warehousing and material flow engineering sectors. The company is a service provider with manufacturing operations as well as an intralogistics solution provider, which offers its customers a comprehensive range of forklift trucks, shelving systems, services and consulting. Jungheinrich shares are traded on all German stock exchanges. (Jungheinrich Aktiengesellschaft)   22.04.2010   Duotank: Twin Project succesfully    ( Company news ) Duotank developed a beer tank system for the smaller venues in the hotel and catering industry and for event organisations: the Twin. The Twin is a compact plug and play system with two separated tank compartments of 2,5 hl. All the installation components are integrated within the system. The Twin Project has been made possible by a subsidy of the European Fund for Regional Development within the framework of the Operational Program South and a contribution of the Government. (Duotank International Group B.V.)   19.04.2010   East Africa: East African Breweries adds premium Windhoek lager to its portfolio     ( E-Malt.com ) East African Breweries Ltd has acquired rights to market and distribute Namibian premium beer, Windhoek Lager, in the region, The Nation posted on April, 9. The agreement with Namibia Brewery Limited will see EABL import the product directly from the South African country and engage in its brand building activities in East Africa. EABL Group managing director Seni Adetu said the new beer, an addition to its other range of products, would meet a growing consumer diversity and demand for quality by customers. “With Windhoek Lager, we are able to offer our consumers a beer which is made in the old age tradition of Reinheitsgebot, mixing the perfect combination of three natural ingredients: malted barley, hops and water,” he said. The beer, whose recommended retail price is Sh100 for the 330ml bottle, is targeted at the high end consumer and thus will be distributed to the top-end outlets. This adds to the company’s premium beer brands like Tusker Malt Lager, Guinness and White Cap already in the market.   19.04.2010   Europe: Carlsberg names new CEO for its South East Europe operations     ( E-Malt.com ) Danish brewing giant Carlsberg announced on April, 7 the appointment of Gabor Bekefi as the CEO of its South East Europe operations. The appointment is effective as of 18 May 2010, Carlsberg said. Gabor Bekefi replaces Aleksandar Radosavljevic, who took over as Acting CEO of Carlsberg SEE in January 2009, following Dr. Isaac Sheps’ appointment as CEO in Carlsberg UK. Aleksandar Radosavljevic continues as CEO of Carlsberg Serbia.   19.04.2010   Japan: Asahi Breweries’ sales decline in January - March 2010, ......    ( E-Malt.com ) ..... only new genre beer enjoys growing demand Japan’s Asahi Breweries said on April, 12 its total beer sales dropped by 1.9% to 172,530 kl in March 2010. As compared to the same month in 2009, sales of ordinary beer fell by 0.5% to 109,654 kl last month. Sales of low-malt happoshu beer plummeted 44.8% to 20,053 kl, whereas malt-based new genre beer saw a 45.8% increase in demand to 42,824 kl. As for sales by brand, Asahi’s Style Free showed a 8.3% decline to 910 cases, sales of Super Dry dropped by 1.2% whereas sales of Clear Asahi increased by 12.4% to 1,630 cases. The company’s total beer sales in the first three months of this year dropped by 6.5% to 378,299 kl, the biggest decline shown by happoshu beer (minus 33.8% versus the same period in 2009). Ordinary beer saw a 6.2% drop in demand, whereas sales of new genre beer increased by 20.3%. Clear Asahi was the sole company’s brand which saw an increase in demand in January – March 2010 (+ 4.8% versus the same period in 2009).   Buyers' Guide: Raw materials   Raw materials for malt and beer production   Raw materials for non-alcoholic beverages production   Malts Machines and installations   Malt production machines and installations   Beverage production machines and installation   Pub breweries machines and installations   Filtration and separation   Filling and cleaning equipment   Packing and transportation systems   Machines and installations, misc.   Labelling and finishing mach., recording equipment, hardware Operating and laboratory equipment   Measuring equipment   Regulation systems   Control and processing systems   Measurement and control technology, misc.   Containers, tanks and accessories   Fittings and pumps   Disinfection and cleaning equipment, CIP systems   Laboratory equipment   Drive components, drives, couplings Energy management, working and packaging materials   Energy management: supply and disposal   Process materials   Labelling, packing materials and aids   Beverage containers and packages   Environmental protection, recycling and industrial safety Catering equipment   Dispensing systems and vending machines   Catering furniture and accecories   Tents and accessories Transport and sales vehicles   Dispensing and sales vehicles   Transport vehicles and equipment Organization and advertising   Organization, logistics, EDP and consulting services   Advertising media and promotional articles Trade press, associations, institutes, institutions   Trade journals   Associations, institutes, institutions Database | Registration | Journal | News | Advertising | Publishing house products | Forum | Links | Publishing house

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