Coopers Brewery running on strong
Managing Director Tim Cooper told the media he had noted an industry-wide decline in beer volumes since the second quarter of 2010 but that premium beer was buoyant, with sales of imported, craft and higher-priced beverages – such as the Coopers range – rising 10 percent.
New brands, Coopers Clear and Coopers 62, were behind the growth, he said, combined with continued support for its traditional ales, particularly Coopers Pale Ale and Coopers Sparkling Ale.
"While strong growth in beer sales was a key driver of our results, we also enjoyed a 1.9 percent rise in home-brew products, while malt extract sales grew 14.8 percent," he said.
Coopers controls 80 per cent of the home-brew market.
Dr Cooper expected the strong growth to continue in the next year.
This is in stark contrast to bearish comments from industry leader Foster’s, which warned recently that the general decline this year should cut industry volumes by as much as 5 percent.
Recent industry data revealed that in August beer volumes fell 7.6 percent year-on-year, the eighth straight monthly decline, with drinkers turning away from traditional brands such as Foster’s VB and Tooheys, owned by Foster’s rival Lion Nathan.
Coopers has fiercely defended its independence. In 2006 Lion Nathan abandoned an AUD 420 million (EUR 310 million) bid for the company after bogging down in legal actions.
