2003 in Retrospect
consumers, in the form of the ingenious
BeerTender® and Tapvat dispensers.
The BeerTender®
The BeerTender® system, which was test
ed on the Swiss market in 2003, involves
the one-off purchase of a dispenser tap.
This is used with a returnable 4-litre keg,
in which the beer will stay fresh for three
weeks after opening, even if only one glass
a day is drawn off, making it ideal for
everyday use. The temperature and
pressure are controlled automatically by
the BeerTender®. The system will also be
launched in the Netherlands in early 2004.
The Tapvat
The Tapvat, a non-returnable 5-litre keg,
was launched in the Netherlands at the
end of 2003. The Tapvat, which features
an integral dispenser, was specially
developed for parties, barbecues and
other occasions when beer drinkers
gather. The Tapvat will also be introduced
in other countries in 2004.
David, a user-friendly draught beer
system for the on-trade introduced by
Heineken in 2002, is particularly suitable
for retail outlets with a relatively low beer
turnover. David, the BeerTender® and
the Tapvat are innovative beer-dispensing
systems on which patents are held by
Heineken and its suppliers.
The FBI (Full Bottle Inspector) system,
which was developed in 2002, was tested
extensively in 2003. FBI is a new system
which enables us to detect glass frag
ments and other foreign objects in bottles
after filling. Long-term testing failed to
produce the desired result, however,
Heineken is now working on the develop
ment of a better system.
Investor Relations
Heineken pursues an active investor rela
tions programme. Based on an overview
of current and potential shareholders,
Heineken gives a number of presentations
each year for institutional investors and
financial analysts, both in Amsterdam,
where our head office is located, and in
the major financial centres in other
countries.
More than twenty presentations were
given in 2003. The analysts' meetings at
the time of publication of the full-year
and half-year results were broadcast
via the Heineken website www.heineken-
international.com. Heineken also gave
presentations at several major internation
al conferences for institutional investors,
the largest of which were also relayed via
the website.
Separate activities are organised
for private shareholders, the majority of
whom are from the Netherlands. In
addition to the Annual General Meeting of
Shareholders, a number of presentations
and brewery visits were arranged in 2003.
Heineken also took part in several meet
ings for private shareholders which had
been organised by third parties.
With the issue of the bond loan in the
second half of 2003, steps were taken
to include bondholders in the investor
relations programme.
Safety, Health and Environment
Heineken's centrally formulated princi
ples and objectives in the field of safety,
health and the environment are trans
lated by our operating companies into
local policy. Heineken reports its central
policy and the results achieved by
the operating companies in a special,
two-yearly report. The next report, to
be published in the second half of 2004,
will also address certain social issues.
Safety and health
Heineken makes every effort to prevent
circumstances arising at its breweries and
distribution centres which might jeopar
dise the health and safety of its employees
and third parties such as suppliers and
people living close to its plants. Heineken
develops and applies its own standards,
even where local statutory requirements
and rules do not exist or are deficient.
Training, information and awareness
are essential to prevent employees being
exposed to unsafe and unhealthy
conditions.
Thanks to the initiatives we took in
Africa, some progress was made in
reducing the time lost due to illness and
accidents. The figures will be published in
HEINEKEN N.V. ANNUAL REPORT 2003
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