Brains hits the £100m mark
A heady mix of rugby, beer and fervently patriotic Welsh pub goers have driven SA Brain's turnover past £100m for the first time.
The Cardiff-based brewer and pubco has become one of the regional success stories in recent times, with a steady expansion plan delivering a fifth consecutive year of growth.
Results just released for the year ending 30 September 2004 revealed a 13% rise in turnover to £108.1m, up from £96m in 2003, driving a 14% increase in profit before tax to £8.2m from £7.2m in 2003.
Brains' managed houses delivered strong sales growth of 17.5% and an accelerated redevelopment programme meant 38 pubs underwent a major refurbishment. The tenanted estate produced 4% growth, with 16 major redevelopments and two acquisitions completed in the year.
Brains' most recent acquisition, of 27 pubs from Innkeeper Wales for an undisclosed sum, boosted its estate to over 250 pubs. The estate now stretches from the Cardigan coast though Wales and across the English border into the West Country.
This increasingly proactive brewer also announced a four-year sponsorship deal with Welsh rugby last summer. This highly visible marketing campaign has seen the Brains logo on the shirts of Welsh players at Cardiff Arms Park and the introduction of its 'Bread of Heaven' Ale aimed at Rugby fans.
"Our strategy of building our position as the leading provider of drinks and retail hospitality in south Wales continues to succeed," said Brains' chief executive, Scott Waddington.
"We have achieved a number of very visible and tangible developments within the business this year, particularly through our pub estate and marketing activities" he added. "And the highlight of the year - our sponsorship of the Welsh Rugby Union - is already starting to show results."
