Lion - Beer, Spirits & Wine (NZ), the local unit of Japanese brewer Kirin Holdings, says 2017 revenue climbed 4.3 per cent and volumes grew 3.2 per cent, helped by sales of craft beers, mainstream brands and non-alcoholic drinks.
Net sales rose to $585 million from $561m in 2016, the Auckland-based brewer and winemaker said in a statement. The figures were adjusted for a 12-month period because its financial statements lodged with the Companies Office is for a 15-month period to December 31, reflecting a change of balance date.
Profit in the 15-month period was $75.6m from $38.7m in the preceding 12 months. On a simple pro-rata basis, the 15-month result suggests a 12-month profit of $60.1m, still a 55 per cent gain. Lion "continued to experience cost pressures due to commodity price increases and fluctuations in the NZ dollar," the company said in a statement.
New Zealand's largest alcoholic beverage company sells beer, cider, wine, spirits and ready-to-drink (RTDs) products and owns beer brands including Lion Red, Lion Brown, Steinlager and Speight's, along with the rights to international brands such as Corona, Budweiser, Stella Artois and Guinness.
It also sells Lindauer, Daniel Le Brun and Wither Hills wines. Its spirits include Gordons and Bombay Sapphire gin, Johnnie Walker whiskey, Wild Turkey bourbon, Coruba and Bacardi rum, Smirnoff and 42 Below vodka. Outside of liquor, it has the Vitasoy plant-based milk range and Yoplait yoghurt brand and various soda brands.
