Poland: Zywiec brewery increased its net income by 17 % in 2005

Polish beer-maker, Grupa Zywiec brewery, is very content with its results in 2005. In 2005 the brewery increased its net income by 17 %, according to Puls Biznesu.

�The net income grew from PLN 284m (EUR 74.9m) to PLN 333m. The operating income increased 22 percent from PLN 372m to PLN 452m. The results hit records and prove that the strategy is correct�, Hans Van Zon, Grupa Zywiec CEO said.

The company paid out PLN 340m of dividend, or PLN 30 a share. The brewery increased sales by 3 percent to PLN 2.86 billion. The company sold 10.3m hl of beer or 1 percent more than a year earlier and much below the market�s average of 5 percent.

Zywiec�s main rival, Kompania Piwowarska, Poland�s beer leader, sold 11m hl of beer last year, or 12.6 percent more than a year earlier. (PLN 1 = EUR 0.264)