Ireland: Brewery Beamish & Crawford sales increased by 8.6% in 2005

Cork based Brewery Beamish & Crawford, a subsidiary of Scottish & Newcastle, announced its Irish sales grew by 8.6% in 2005 in what it called a challenging market, The Irish Examiner posted on February 21.

Managing director of Beamish & Crawford, Alf Smiddy, said the overall beer market had declined by 2%, while pub sales had dropped by 10%. Alf Smiddy said the company enjoyed strong growth across all key brands, which include Beamish Red Irish Ale, Miller Genuine Draft, Foster's Lager, Foster's Ice, Kronenbourg 1664 and Carling Lager.

"2005 has been a record year for the company in terms of output, sales and profitability, despite a decline in the Irish beer market by 2%, and a decline in industry pub sales by 10%. "Beamish & Crawford grew net sales by 8.6% in a challenging Irish market, one year from the introduction of the smoking ban." Mr Smiddy said.

Beamish Stout sales grew by 6%, while Miller had 'high double digit' percentage growth and Fosters lager also grew strongly.

"Overall, the variable cost business model of Beamish & Crawford, which has involved the outsourcing of distribution, warehousing, technical services, and security in their entirety, has been a key driver of business success," Mr Smiddy said. "The outsourcing of non-core activity to leading industry specialists has allowed for maximum focus on sales and marketing of the full range of beer brands in the island of Ireland, and this will continue going forward."