Companynews // 02/28/2014

Gerolsteiner remains on course for growth

Gerolstein, January 29th  2014. Gerolsteiner Brunnen can look back upon a successful year and thus build upon the good results from the previous year. In 2013 the company from the volcanic Eifel increased its total net product turnover by +5.4 per cent to ?224.1 million through its mineral water and mineral water based soft drink products.

Sales increased by 2.3 percent to 6.3 million hectolitres. With a market share of 18.5 per cent (Nielsen, by December 2013 as compared to 17.9 per cent in the previous year) Gerolsteiner has further built upon its market leadership among carbonated mineral waters in the price range above 0.40 per litre. 

 

"Our quality strategy is working. In 2013 Gerolsteiner was seen by many consumers as their favourite mineral water", said Axel Dahm, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Gerolsteiner Brunnen GmbH & Co. KG. "Quality and value for money are our key drivers of growth in a stagnating water market".

 

The portfolio of the mineral springs company includes both Gerolsteiner mineral water and a wide range of water-related soft drinks. The Company recorded increased sales in 2013 especially with Gerolsteiner Medium (+ 3.4 per cent) and Gerolsteiner Natural (+ 10 per cent), which has further strengthened its position as the third largest non-carbonated mineral water on the German market. Gerolsteiner lemonades and Gerolsteiner Linée were mainly responsible for the impetus in the area of mineral-based soft drinks. In the area of gastronomy in 2013 the mineral springs company also produced significantly better results than in the previous year's (+3.0 percent).

Strengthened international business

 

Also in the international sphere Gerolsteiner Brunnen last year achieved an increase in turnover of 5 per cent, while sales rose by 2.9 per cent. Growth was driven by exports to the USA, Belgium, Asia and South and Eastern Europe. Sales in the Japanese market could be maintained at the high level of the previous year. Where opportunities for growth in 2014 are concerned Gerolsteiner is seen as the leading export brand among German mineral waters and the world's number 1 in the carbonated mineral water segment, especially in Asia and North America.

 

Outlook

 

Impetus for 2014 is promised by the product launch of Gerolsteiner Plus Fruit. The flavoured water with little carbon dioxide is low in calories and will come onto the market in the following flavours: blood orange, lime and grapefruit, in the 0.75-litre non-returnable PET bottle. This product line closes a gap in the market, because so far there have been almost exclusively non-carbonated near-water drinks. At the football World Cup the mineral springs company will provide refreshment with the Limited Edition Gerolsteiner Samba 2014.

 

For further information please contact:

Gerolsteiner Brunnen GmbH & Co. KG, Heike Görres,

Spokesperson for Corporate Communications

Vulkanring, 54567 Gerolstein

Tel: +49 (0)6591-14-237 Fax: +49(0)6591-14-249

E-Mail: heike.goerres@gerolsteiner.com

www.gerolsteiner.de