Heineken annual report The following are extracts from the Heineken annual report for the financial year 1976/1977 The growth of the Group continued in the financfal year 1976/1977. Apart from a substantial autonomous growth, the extension of the consolidation, which is ex plained in further detail be low, has had a not inconsiderable effect on the annual accounts. The effect of this extension on the net profit, however, was of only limited significance. The consolidated turnover increased by 15.6% from N.fl. 2.137 million to N.fl. 2.470 million. The net profit rose by 18.8% from N.fl. 92.2 million to N.fl. 109.6 million. Although the results of our activities in the Netherlands were of great importance and, we trust, will remain so in the future, the progress achieved in the year under review was partly attributable to a substantial growth in our beer exports, as well as to the earnings of participations outside the Netherlands. In the past year we have in vested N.fl. 197 million in plants and installations. Special mention may be ma de of the expenditure on the enlargement of brewing ca pacity at Zoeterwoude (N.fl 76 million), on land purchase for the construction of a dis tillery together with a grain alcohol plant at Zoetermeer (N.fl. 8 million) and on ex pansion of the capacity of the Albra brewery at Schiltigheim in France (N.fl. 18 million). In the consolidated compa nies of the Group there were 18,555 persons employed on September 30, 1977, com pared with 14,236 persons at the end of the previous finan cial year. Personnel The number of personnel in the Netherlands was 6,379, compared with 6,224 in the previous year. Training Constant care for training within the Group continues to be of vital importance for the continuity of the enterprise. The engineering and tech nological training centre at Zoeterwoude was attended by 104 trainees, especially from firms associated with us in developing countries. Our foreign breweries, too, made use of our knowledge and experience with regard to various aspects of person nel policy. Prospects In most of the markets where we operate the economic situation is not very bright at the beginning of the new fi nancial year. The trade cycle is not showing any signs of revival; in several countries, in fact,the opposite is rather the case. In addition, many countries apply a system of price con trol which prevents us from passing on increased costs in the selling price. It is also impossible to foresee what effect the developments with regard to the consump tion of alcoholic drinks will have in a number of coun tries. Although, as we have already explained, it is by the nature of our activities not possible to give concrete short-term forecasts regarding turhover and profit, we consider a mild optimism to be justified. In saying this we are relying on our good starting position, based on strong brands, high quality of our products, abundant know-how and a wide international spread. International activities Our policy continues to be aimed at optimum use of brands available both in the Netherlands and elsewhere, of production and distribution facilities, as well as of know- how and financing possibili ties in all the markets acces sible to us. The constantly changing circumstances in the various areas imply that we must always follow a flexi ble policy in that respect. Ac cordingly we are continually examining the possibilities for further expansion of our acti vities, especially in the field of local production, whether or not combined with financial participations in the firm con cerned. We were again able to in crease our beer exports this year. The increase, which amount ed to nearly 500,000 hectoli tres (23%), was mainly due to higher sales in the United States as well as in Nigeria and a number of other West African countries. The particularly good growth in several other markets, such as the Arabian Gulf States and the Netherlands Antilles, is also worthy of mention. There was a substantial growth in exports of soft drinks. Good selling results were achieved in the 'duty free' market and in a number of countries in the Middle East. In accordance with our ex pectations, exports of spirits showed a positive trend. A model of the future establishment at Zoetermeer of Le futur complexe de Zoetermeer destiné au Gedistilleerd Gedistilleerd groep Nederland bv, with distillery and grain Groep Nederland bv, comprenant une distillerie et une usine alcohol. It is hoped to lay the foundation stone early in 1978. d'alcohol de blé. La pose de la première pierre est prévue pourdébut 1978 8

Jaarverslagen en Personeelsbladen Heineken

Heineken Contact | 1978 | | pagina 8