MARKET LEADING
BEER BRANDS
Kompania Piwowarska is the largest beer brewer in Poland. It uses state-of-the-art production technologies combined with centuries of beer brewing know-how to guarantee the high quality of its products. Dariusz Balcerzyk talks to Pawel Kwiatkowski, the company’s director of corporate affairs, to find out more.
K
ompania Piwowarska was established in 1999 as a result of the merger of two breweries: Lech Browary Wielkopolski and Tyskie Browary Ksiazece. In 2003 it acquired Dojlidy Brewery. Kompania Piwowarska is a part of SABMiller plc, one of the world’s largest brewers with brewing interests or distribution agreements across six continents. “Our brand portfolio includes Tyskie (Poland’s most popular beer), Zubr (the second most popular beer brand in Poland), Lech, Debowe Mocne, Pilsner Urquell, Redd’s, Grolsch, Miller Genuine Draft as well as Peroni Nastro Azzurro. The company owns three breweries, in Bialystok, Poznan and Tychy. The total number of our employees reaches more than 3000 people,” adds Mr Kwiatkowski.
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A market leader “In the financial year 2012 (12 months between April 2011 and March 2012) Kompania Piwowarska retained its position as a leader in the Polish beer market with a sales volume of 13.5 mHl and a market share of around 38 per cent,” continues Mr Kwiatkowski. “Despite unfavourable weather conditions in the mid-season, total sales volumes in the Polish beer market reached 36.2 mHl; this means a growth of 5 per cent within the last 12 months. The observed positive trend in the beer sector was down to a warm and dry May–June period followed by long and sunny autumn.” According to Mr Kwiatkowski, the purpose of the company’s export activities is to make its brands available to Poles throughout the world. In the fiscal year 2012 Kompania
Piwowarska exported around 544,000 hectolitres. Its main export markets are Germany, the UK (and Ireland indirectly), the USA, Canada, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Belgium and France. Tyskie Gronie, Lech Premium and Redd’s are the main export brands. The company is aware of the responsibility it bears as an alcohol producer and the market leader. “Since the very beginning, Kompania Piwowarska has been promoting responsible drinking. We want people to have fun, be able to enjoy good company and our excellent beer without falling prey to alcohol abuse or irresponsible drinking. This is why it is so important to have the knowledge and to raise awareness of the fact. The employees of Kompania Piwowarska are expected to demonstrate special sensibility and in-depth knowledge of alcohol-related issues”, says Mr Kwiatkowski.
