Poland: Kompania Piwowarska is the leader for four quarters in a row

Kompania Piwowarska, a subsidiary of SABMiller, announced on July 27 that its domestic sales in the second quarter of 2005 (April - June) amounted to 3.1 million hectolitres, up on the prior year by 12% and the highest among all brewers in Poland. Kompania Piwowarska has now shown undisputed market leadership in the Polish brewing industry for four quarters in a year.

The outstanding sales growth achieved by Kompania Piwowarska translates into a market share of 35.7%. Market share gains have been substantial, amounting to 2.7% over a period of 12 months.

Kompania Piwowarska domestic sales over the past six months amounted to 5.15 million hectolitres, up by 15% on prior year, while domestic sales over the past twelve months amounted to 10.63 million hectolitres, also up by 15%. This growth rate is substantially more than the industry growth rate of around 3% in the past twelve months.

Managing Director comments: "Our outstanding sales results - says Karl Lippert, Managing Director of Kompania Piwowarska - were the result of superior brand marketing, trade marketing and customer service. We strongly believe that these three pillars of excellence are the basis of our long term success. Of course, superior brand marketing has its roots in superior consumer insight, much as superior trade marketing has its roots in superior shopper insight. But ultimately, the beer business is a relationship business, and we take pride in our relations with our customers and our consumers. We therefore expect our healthy growth trend to continue."

According to independent research conducted by PENTOR, Kompania Piwowarska is the unquestioned leader among all brewers in Poland in the area of service excellence, having achieved the highest levels of customer satisfaction. While we lead in satisfaction ratings overall, we are particularly proud to be rated the best supplier by distributors, traditional retail outlets and the on-trade in Poland.

Top Polish brands

Tyskie: The biggest Polish brand
The undisputable leader among all Polish beer brands is Tyskie. Tyskie is also the largest consumer product by revenue, as confirmed by the recent Rzeczpospolita survey.

Tyskie was the Major Patron of the Polish National Exhibition during EXPO 2005 in Japan. A day of Polish Beer was held at the exhibition with participation by the Polish government and the official business delegation. The long line of Japanese visitors in front of the Polish pavilion was further proof that the superb quality of Tyskie beer is recognized by consumers across the globe. Tyskie is exported to the United States, Canada, Germany, the UK and Ireland, reaching a diverse range of consumers.

Poland's biggest consumer brand was present on the global exhibition in Japan, but it is also always close to its consumers in Poland. This summer, a series of 45 "biesiady" events are taking place in cities around the whole country. Participants in "biesiady" this year are expected to exceed 200.000 consumers.

Dog in the Fog: An excellent start
During the past four months, our newest brand, Dog in the Fog, took the market by storm. The unconventional launch campaign was followed by a television and outdoor campaign featuring uniquely English humour. Dog in the Fog reached a share of over 0.7% of the Polish beer market within three months from launch. Dog in the Fog is a very special beer with uniquely balanced, smooth taste.

Lech: A hectic summer
Lech, the third biggest brand in our portfolio, has sponsored Beach Soccer all along the Baltic coast this season. The series of events has helped to reinforce the image of the brand as the favourite among consumers who are active and dynamic, and also favour a healthy life style. Since the launch of Lech in new packaging 12 months ago, the brand has grown strongly.

Kompania Piwowarska - The industry leader in Poland
Kompania Piwowarska is the biggest and the most profitable company in the brewing industry in Poland. Several hundred years of brewing experience, modern technology and rigorous adherence to World Class Manufacturing guarantee the uncompromising quality of our products.

Our brand portfolio includes: TYSKIE, the best selling beer brand in Poland, ZUBR, LECH, Dêbowe Mocne, Pilsner Urquell, Redd's, Dog in the Fog and Miller Genuine Draught. Kompania Piwowarska was established in 1999 as a result of the merger of Tyskie Browary Ksi±¿êce and Lech Browary Wielkopolski. In 2003, the company acquired Browar Dojlidy.

In the financial year ended on 31 March 2005, Kompania Piwowarska achieved a net profit of PLN 481 million on sales revenue of more than PLN 3.3 billion.

Kompania Piwowarska is part of the world's second biggest brewing group - SABMiller plc. It has a brewing presence in over 44 countries across five continents and a portfolio of over 100 strong brands and leading market shares in many of the countries in which it has operations. Annual lager sales reached 148 million hectolitres in the financial year ended on 31 March 2005.

Recently SABMiller has announced its acquisition of a controlling interest in Colombia based "Bavaria", the second biggest brewer in South America. SABMiller is also one of the largest Coca Cola bottlers outside the US.

In the financial year ended on 31 March 2005, SABMiller achieved profits (before tax) of $2.2 billion, on sales of $14.5 billion.

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