The Company was established in 1900 as the Riga`a first state alcohol warehouse and operates under the current name since 1970. Due to SPI Group internal reorganization the major shareholder of Latvijas balzams AS from October 2014 is Amber Beverage Group SIA, which owns 89.99% of the Company’s equity capital. Nowadays Latvijas balzams operates two alcohol production facilities in Riga – production plant for strong alcohol beverages and a production plant for sparkling wines and light alcohol beverages. We use ingredients from around the world and have retained our traditional beverage production technologies. The recipes for some of our signature products date back hundreds of years, for example the the recipe o Riga Black Balsam is rooteted back in 1752, but our renown Moskovskaya Vodka dates back to the end of the 19th century. The company keeps the leading presence in all key spirits segments, as well as in sparkling wines, ciders, and RTDs, in the Baltic region. The newest generation of spirits, including Riga Black Vodka and Amber Gold Vodka, are produced using innovative filtration technologies that results in particular character profiles for beverage connoisseurs. We are proud for our ability to produce high quality liquids consistently, and develop new products driven by consumer insights. On the same time we are able to maintain high-quality international standards required by SPI Group, so that sales of Stolichnaya are possible around the world, including sales to Japan. Latvijas balzams AS is the largest producer of alcoholic beverages in the Baltic States with a range of more than 100 different brands. Our products are exported to more than 170 export markets as mediated by SPI Group, and to 42 markets via the Company`s direct export route.
The Company`s Activity in the first quarter of 2017
The unaudited turnover of the Company in the first quarter of 2017 reached 17.7 million euro, which is 5% more than in the first quarter of 2016. The positive results are achieved mainly due to increased level of warehouse and logistics services provided to both 3rd part and Group companies. In addition to mentioned, increase in turnover was effected by higher orders of Lithuanian distributor before the planned rise of excise tax, unfortunately, it will negatively effects orders in 2nd quarter. From beginning of 2016, the Company is providing a number of warehouse and logistics services, mostly to beverage companies – like transit assurance services, bonded warehouse services, 3-rd party logistic services, value added services, picking, etc. Actions taken, has allowed to use available resources and assets in more efficient way. Latvijas balzams AS has been performing as European hub for group distributed brands in Europe, including Scandinavia and Russia (KAH, Bayou, Arinzano, Achaval Ferrer). In the reporting period we have continued investing in our manufacturing base, with a continuous focus on improvement of efficiency and new product development: - Following the latest trends of beverage industry and based on order of Stoli Group, we have produced new product for the USA market that will be introduced in retail chains across USA in May – vodka with natural juice; - The Company has performed export product filling lines layout change with partial upgrade to rise the competiveness and quality standard of beverages.
The Company continues to implement LEAN in order to higher efficiency and productivity in all core processes. The unaudited profit for the reporting period reached 1.18 million euro that represents 2% decrease versus the first quarter of 2016, mainly due to product mix, based on changes in consumer preferences.
Future prospects
In 2017 the Company will keep focusing on investment opportunities in existing and new export markets with strong growth potential and accelerating sales. We’ll keep the strong focus on our core brands - Riga Black Balsam and Cosmopolitan Diva - investing into international recognition, brand equity and increasing market share. The Company will also continue to improve the efficiency of production with focus on purchasing, planning and infrastructure improvements to support our goal - to deliver quality products with a competitive cost advantage. Also Company has developed large-scale plant modernization and reconstruction project with aim to merge both production plants into one territory. Project will allow to improve company`s competitive positions among the region producers by decreasing labour, logistics and production costs. Total costs of project are estimated at amount of 23 million euro. Application for project CIT discount has been submitted to Ministry of Economics and technical project works are currently going on. After finalizing those two phases shareholders will be introduced to Project in details to obtain their final approval on investment. Latvijas balsams AS is an active member of Latvian Alcohol Industry Association and cooperates with core non-governmental organizations, representing the interests of industry in any dialogue with legislators and law enforcement institutions. The Company supports development of well - considered industry policy in Latvia and promotes responsible consumption and public education on these issues, as well as continues to combat the illegal production and distribution of non-commercial alcohol.
