Kofole's sales rose by 18.7 percent year-on-year to 7.88 billion crowns last year

The image from August 15, 2019 shows the company's historic logo at the entrance to the plant in Krnov.

Ostrava – Last year, sales of the Kofola beverage group increased by 1.24 billion, i.e. 18.7 percent, to 7.88 billion crowns. According to preliminary economic results, the EBITDA indicator (operating profit before depreciation) amounted to 1.11 billion crowns. It decreased by 20 million crowns (1.8 percent) year-on-year. Kofola told ČTK in a press release today. She stated that she met the goals set.

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The company evaluates the results as successful, stating that they were achieved in an economically challenging year despite the increased costs of energy and raw materials. According to Kofola, increasing sales in key sales channels, a record summer season, year-on-year growth in the travel drinks category, as well as the growing popularity of fresh juices and herbal teas contributed to the achievement of operating profit.

2022 was an energetic year for Kofola crisis. The rise in energy prices, as well as PET material and sweeteners, meant additional costs of approximately 0.5 billion crowns for the group.

“Inflation and cost growth in all our major cost categories – from materials, energy, transportation, labor costs, to the cost of services – caused high price pressures, which we had to offset by finding additional savings and gradually increasing our selling prices,” said the general manager. director of the Kofola Group Jannis Samaras.

According to him, Kofola managed to exceed the last forecast estimate of the annual EBITDA target thanks to flexibility in decision-making, effective management and excellent sales results. “Although the result appears to be very strong, it must be said that three years ago we thought that we would be much further today. The reality of recent years has slowed down our strategic plans,” said Samaras.

In the Czech Republic and in Slovakia, which is a key region for Kofola, the company's sales grew in all sales formats. For drinks intended for consumption at home, they increased by nine percent, in gastronomy, where Kofola serves more than 17,000 customers, by 51 percent.

“Kofola on tap dominated the summer season. However, packaged drinks also did well, especially those intended for travel, whose sales increased by 25 percent year-on-year,” said Daniel Buryš, CEO of Kofola in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. He added that the EBITDA of the beverage segment fell in the region as a result of increased inputs, despite the surprisingly favorable development of sales.

In Slovenia and Croatia, the group's sales exceeded the last pre-Covid year 2019. “Compared to last year, the sales volume increased in liters by eight percent, exports recorded double-digit growth,” said Kofola.

The UGO network, which operates Freshbars and Saladeries in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, also showed significant improvement. “We have optimized our processes and introduced a number of energy-saving measures at the establishments (from the use of energy-saving light bulbs, smart sensors and sensors to the installation of water aerators),” said the CEO of the UGO network, Marek Farník. According to him, the attractive novelties in the offer and the packaged assortment, which is on a growth wave, also contributed to the year-on-year sales increase of 58 percent.

“Another positive fact about Kofola's overall management is that, through a combination of good results and cost-saving measures, the group managed to reduce the ratio of net debt to EBITDA below the value of 3,” said Kofola. The group enters this year 2023 with the promise of achieving an overall EBITDA target of 1.1 to 1.25 billion crowns. He is preparing product innovations that could contribute to this.

Kofola is one of the most important producers of soft drinks in Central Europe, it has 11 production plants in five European markets. In addition to the drink of the same name, the company's products include the brands Rajec, Korunní, Ondrášovka, Kláštorná Kalcia, Jupí, Vinea and Semtex. The group includes the UGO network, the Czech producer of mixtures of medicinal plants Leros, the Slovenian company Radenska and the Croatian producer of mineral waters Studenac. Kofola has more than 2,000 employees. The majority owner of the group is the company Aetos belonging to the Samaras family and the other founders of Kofola, whose shareholders are René Musila and Tomáš Jendřejek.

Preliminary economic results of the Kofola group (in billions of CZK):

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*Results are adjusted for non-recurring items

Source: Kofola