The company reported that is sales turnover had increased to CZK 1.881 billion (€57m), up from Kc 1.448 billion in 2002. This reflects a period of sustained growth off the back of a dynamic market and repeated investments in brand development and marketing by Kofola. Indeed, back in 1999 the company's total turnover was a mere CZK 460 million.
"The results reflect our investments into distribution network and support of key brands," said Jannis Samaras, Kofola CEO.
The company's new brand launches during the course of the last year have included Kofola, Top Topic, Frupper, Jupí, Jupík - all aimed at the premium fruit juice and flavoured water sector. It also launched new nectars and juices Snipp and Top Topic Fit as well as Kofola Citrus and natural spring water Rajec - the latter both concentrating on developing the company's existing brands.
As well as the new product launches the company also broke into new markets in central Europe as part of its policy to expand in neighbouring central Europe. The company began started exports to Poland Hungary, Croatia and Slovenia, where over the course of the next year it is hoping to build up its presence with a series of marketing campaigns.
The company has also invested heavily in its production facility in Krnov and has opened a new facility in Rajecká Lesná, Slovakia.
"At present we are the biggest employer in Krnov region and we continue to grow," said Samaras. "In 2004 we are planning massive investments into marketing, distribution and human resources in the Central Europe region."
Presently Kofola is one of the leading producers of non-alcoholic drinks in both the Czech and Slovakia Republics, employing over 700 people. In recent years both of these markets have shown strong growth in the soft drink sectors, with development of the markets now comparable to many western European markets.
In particular the Czech Republic market has proved to be very robust and has been tipped by many industry experts as a hot spot for future growth. A recent report from Datamonitor projected that the market, worth $1.3 billion in 2001, should be worth $1.6 billion by 2006.