ii tyhts. f/h w/K. ...newly consolidated ..businesses, improved sales mix, higher turnover the heineken brand's growth potential remains very high in al countries //3rjk Heineken N.V. booked a net profit of 621 million in 2000, an increase of 20% on 1999. Expectations are that net profit will again increase further in 2001. Net turnover rose to more than 8,107 million and that increase was due to newly consolidated businesses, an improved sales mix and higher selling prices, higher autonomous growth in beer sales and the higher exchange rate of the US dollar compared to the euro. Presenting the annual figures, Executive Board Chairman Karei Vuursteen reported an increase in sales of the Heineken brand. "Sales grew by 5.9% to 21.6 million hectolitres in 2000. The Heineken brand's growth potential remains very high in all countries." For Amstel, too, the message was upbeat. "Amstel is now available in more than 100 countries and has become Europe's second brand. Sales in 2000 grew by 2.9% to 10.8 million hectolitres. An important part of this growth took place in the US and Spain." With sales of more than ten million hectolitres, Spain is the biggest country for Heineken. Aguila Amstel showed a growth of 7% and Cruzcampo grew by 8%. Thanks to a substantial increase in distribution, sales of Heineken Beer even climbed by as much as 28%. In Heineken's most important export market, the United States, sales of Heineken were up by 15% and those of Amstel Light by 13%. "We still see many growth opportunities in the US. Not only as a result of improving our service, but also by more intensively working the regions. We also see growth opportunities in the food sector, where we are relatively underrepresented at present," said Mr Vuursteen. He was optimistic about the company's future prospects. "Considering the success of our business strategy, the power of the Heineken and Amstel brands and our local brands, our global coverage and broad international experience, we remain positive with regard to our long-term profitability." MR VUURSTEEN

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World of Heineken | 2001 | | pagina 3