The business of the Damm brewery has exceeded pre-pandemic levels in 2021. The company chaired by Demetrio Carceller closed last year with a turnover of 1,488 million euros, 21.5% more than in 2020 and 7.5% higher than in 2019 (1,385 million euros). Likewise, the last fiscal year culminated with a net profit of 121.3 million euros, in line with the 120 million euros profit obtained in 2019.
The growth in sales, which have experienced significant increases in all product categories, is largely due to the progressive increase in activity in the bar and restaurant channel, in line with the tourist recovery, both national and international, as highlighted by the company itself. This has allowed the manufacturer to increase production to 19.33 million hectoliters annually.
The company has continued to strengthen its international presence, a task to which it dedicates a team of more than 250 people, as one of its growth drivers. Damm's strategic plan for the period 2022-2025, with which it expects to exceed 2,000 million in turnover, aims to double its business figures in the international market, which currently accounts for more than 25% of its activity, increasing its efforts in expansion in large markets (Africa, Asia and Latin America). Currently, the company markets and distributes its products in more than 130 countries, with sustained growth in recent years. The company increased its workforce by 393 people, reaching 5,100 employees worldwide.
In terms of investments, the Barcelona-based brewing group highlights that last year it completed the acquisition of the 50% of Cacaolat's capital that it did not control ---Cacaolat, Letona, Laccao and Agama--- thus becoming the sole shareholder of the company.
New investments
For the current fiscal year, which will be reported at the next shareholders' meeting on May 24, Damm will inaugurate in June a new can packaging line at the plant the company owns in El Prat del Llobregat, which will mean the creation of 50 new jobs. The line will occupy an area of 11,600 square meters and has involved an investment of 25 million euros. In addition to the packaging train, which features the latest advances in technology and energy efficiency, a new auxiliary building has also been constructed.
In parallel, and within the strategy of constant improvements, there are different projects to optimize the logistics and operations departments, with the aim of achieving significant improvements in efficiency and productivity that allow absorbing increases in costs derived from external production factors.
In this regard, Damm has announced that 2022 is shaping up to be "an especially complex year as a consequence of the increase in production costs, both of raw materials and packaging materials, as well as energy and transport costs," according to a statement.
In environmental matters, the group continues to work to minimize the impact of its activity and promote sustainability. Thus, in 2021, the investment in activities to improve environmental performance exceeded 6 million euros and has completed the project to replace the decorated plastics of the can packs with packaging made from cardboard from sustainably and responsibly managed forests.