Coopers Brewery enjoyed continuing strong growth during the 2012-13 financial year, posting record turnover, profits and sales volumes.
In the 12 months to June 30, 2013, Coopers’ turnover rose by 16.1 per cent to $216 million (from $186 million), net profit increased by 13.4 per cent to $30.8 million (from $27.16 million), while beer sales were up 8.3 per cent to 69.7 million litres (from 64.3 million litres).
Strong contributions were received from sales of international brands Carlsberg, Sapporo and Kronenbourg, while sales revenue in the Brewing Products division, which includes Coopers DIY Beer (home-brew), was up 7 per cent. The latter was aided particularly by sales revenue increase of 12 per cent for US subsidiary Mr Beer.
Managing director, Dr Tim Cooper, said Coopers was now enjoying one of the longest periods of growth in the company’s history.
“Our beer sales volumes have grown by an average of 9.8 per cent per year for the past 20 years,” he said.
“We now have almost 4.5 per cent of the national beer market and have grown despite a period of declining beer sales nationally.”
Dr Cooper said that ongoing growth had necessitated a major increase in brewing capacity, with the installation of a second bottling line and associated process plant and infrastructure expected to be completed by December this year.
“This $20 million capital expansion program is required to enable us to support the ongoing growth of our Coopers brands, as well as the addition of other brands in both our beer and home-brew portfolios,” he said.
“This latest capital expansion means that we have now invested more than $150 million in our brewery since acquiring the Regency Park property in 1998.”
Dr Cooper said interstate beer sales continued to drive overall growth, particularly Western Australia where volumes were up 23.2 per cent, Queensland up 21.4 per cent, and Victoria up 17.1 per cent.