2002 in Retrospect in Germany, developed well. We see Paulaner Hefe Weisse, which has substantial market positions in Germany, Italy, Spain, France and the United States, as one of the main stays of our portfolio of speciality beers. In the UK and Ireland, stout continued to lose ground to lager. Sales of Murphy's Irish Stout were down, mainly due to lower sales in the UK, but Murphy's Irish Red achieved significant growth in Spain. Affligem, our Belgian abbey beer which has gained a reputation as a high-quality beer for the connoisseur, sold well in France and Spain and we expect it to find good niche-market positions in other countries. Sales of Wieckse Witte, a light, fresh-tasting white beer, were lower due to the poor summer in Western Europe. Kriska, a vodka- flavoured beer, was launched in France and sales have exceeded our expectations. Research and Development Research and development are the basis of innovation and therefore have strategic importance for Heineken. Much of the R&D activity is carried out locally, but coor dination is centralised. The R&D programme covers the entire supply chain, from the evaluation of new and improved strains of barley and hops to the development of new products and packaging. On many projects, Heineken works closely with other companies, suppliers, research institutes and universities around the world. The most significant innovation last year was the David dispensing system for retail outlets with a relatively low beer turnover. The David system, which uses a 20-litre keg, offers good returns at lower sales volumes than the sys tems based on a 50-litre keg. The patented David dispens ing system is user-friendly, there is no wastage and no pipework to be cleaned and, once connected, the keg contents remain fresh up to seven times longer than with the traditional dispensing systems. The number of David systems installed since the launch has exceeded our expectations. A new 24-ounce (67-cl) can was developed for the US market, to supplement our successful 12-ounce keg- shaped can which had been introduced previously. Warka in Poland became the first brewery to install a membrane filtration system. This technology, which is employed at the final filtration stage, replaces kieselguhr and is therefore more environment-friendly. Trials started with a new bottle inspection system known as FBI (Filled Bottle Inspector) in 2002, which enables us to detect glass fragments and other foreign objects in bottles after filling. The FBI system, which has been developed by Heineken in conjunction with other companies, is currently undergoing extended testing at one of our breweries. Health, Safety and Environment Our operating companies achieved good results with their water-saving projects. In the years ahead we shall intensify our efforts in the area of energy-saving. Our health and safety programme in Africa was extended. Having previously published a two-yearly environmental report, Heineken published its first biennial safety, health and environment report last year, covering the period 2000-2001. This latest report was extended to include information on the environmental performance of our businesses outside Europe and our safety performance in Europe. In recognition of our approach to reporting on our social responsibility and sustainability policies and our performance in those areas, Heineken was included in the Dow Jones Sustainability STOXX Indices and the Store- brand Index. Companies which perform well both finan cially and in terms of their social responsibility are admit ted to these indices. Health and safety Heineken makes every effort to prevent circumstances arising at its breweries which might jeopardise the health and safety of its employees and third parties such as sup pliers and people living close to its plants. Where local legal statutory requirements and rules do not exist or are deficient, Heineken sees it as its responsibility to develop and apply its own standards. Information and awareness are essential to prevent employees being exposed to unsafe and unhealthy conditions. On the basis of a risk analysis performed on the findings of a comprehensive health and safety study carried out at our Bralima brewery in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, guidelines have been drawn up for personnel instruction and training which will be introduced at all our breweries in Africa. One element of our medical policy in Africa is care for employees who are HIV-positive or have contracted Aids. Last year, we invested mainly in improv ing the medical/social infrastructure in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of the Congo. The exchange of expertise between our European loca tions resulted in more consistent standards for our instal lations and more extensive and better coordinated safety training provision. REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD 15

Jaarverslagen en Personeelsbladen Heineken

Jaarverslagen | 2002 | | pagina 18