HOT
TRUB
February 28, 2001
Edited by: Peter LaFrance (peter.lafrance@beerbasics.com)
Presented by: American Brewer
===================================
Vol. 2 No. 9
This news letter will post items of special interest to brewers, members of the
brewing and distilling community, and members of the media that cover the
beverage alcohol business.
Should you wish to contribute in any way to this venture please contact Peter
LaFrance at peter.lafrance@beerbasics.com
If you wish to be dropped from this list please respond to this posting to peter.lafrance@beerbasics.com
and include the word remove in the Subject: line.
===============================================
Reuters reports this morning from Amsterdam
that Heineken NV reporting a 20 percent rise in net profit in
2000 and predicted more earnings growth this year. Net profit climbed
to $574.5 million from 1999's $516 million with operating profit up 15.3
percent.
Much of the growth was due to the acquisitions of Spanish brewer Cruzcampo, Slovakian Gemer and Martiner and Aflligem in Belgium.
The Group's total beer volume, including that of the two affiliated companies in Latin America, rose to 97.9 million hectoliters. Sales of the Heineken brand worldwide rose by 5.9% to a volume of 21.6 million hectoliters. In the United States, sales volume of Heineken beer increased by 15% and those of Amstel by 13%.
Heineken executives say they expects a further increase in net profit for 2001 and remains positive with regard to the long-term profit outlook. The company also announced plans for a five-for-four share split.
A Jug of
Wine a Loaf of Bread and Thou ... now possible in Minnesota
A
"Wine With Dinner" legislation was introduced on February 27th
in the Minnesota State legislature. Senate bill number SF 1107; and House bill
HF 1205 are sponsored by Sen. Linda Scheid (DFL-Brooklyn Park) and Rep. Barbara
Sykora (R-Excelsior). The bills will change existing law to allow wine sales at
grocery stores. Grocery stores will
have to follow the same laws regulating the sale of wine as liquor stores. Regular beer, liquor and fortified (high
alcohol) wine are not allowed under this bill.
"This
bill is long overdue," said Sen. Scheid.
"Shoppers in 33 other states can make one stop and buy their dinner
items and a bottle of wine. This bill will meet consumer demand and provide for
the responsible sale of wine in grocery stores."
"In
addition to the convenience and efficiency of one-stop shopping, wine in grocery
stores will also add market competition to wine sales," said Rep.
Sykora. "In many cities there
remains an outdated government monopoly on the sale of wine -- a consumer item
people buy every day. I believe that
more competition and more choice will be good for consumers."
A Sign of Things
to Come?
BevAccess
Consolidates Wine & Spirits Distribution in 17 Major Markets
Recently,
BevAccess announced an agreement with beverage alcohol wholesalers
Charmer-Sunbelt Group, Glazer's Wholesale Distributors, Young's Market Company
and the Romano Brothers Beverage Company.
According to industry sources these wholesalers collectively represent
20% of the U.S. wine and spirits industry and manage operations in 17 markets
(New York, Texas, California, Florida, Illinois, South Carolina, Arizona,
Washington DC, Hawaii, Connecticut, Louisiana, Indiana, Arkansas, Maryland,
Ohio, Missouri, Iowa).
"This
is a great opportunity for us to establish our commitment to deliver an open
and neutral exchange for the beverage industry," said Mark Sanders, CEO of
BevAccess. "We will continue to
invite the nation's wholesalers to participate in the BevAccess exchange to
develop superior communications, e-commerce and technology services."
-30-