Karlsberg Brewery publishes 2021 annual figures: well positioned for 2022 with excellent brands and investments

Karlsberg Brauerei GmbH (corporate bond, WKN: A254UR) has published its 2021 financial statements. The year 2021 was another unusual year for the entire industry, which was noticeably impacted by the Covid 19 pandemic with a nearly five-month lockdown of the restaurant industry. In the German brewing industry, the draft beer business in particular - but also the export business - was particularly affected. The sales performance of Karlsberg Brauerei GmbH was additionally impacted by a two-week outage of a bottling line in the month of May. The company's gross sales* recorded a decline of EUR 5.1 million to EUR 144.9 million in fiscal year 2021.

The operating earnings indicator adjusted EBITDA was moderately below the previous year's level at EUR 18.5 million (2020: EUR 21.3 million) due to increased expenses for marketing and sales and significantly reduced other operating income.

Domestic beverage sales of EUR 110.4 million were down around EUR 1.8 million on the previous year. Lockdown-related declines in the food service sector were offset by a comparatively stable sales performance in the retail sector. Beverage sales in the international business, at EUR 27.9 million, declined more sharply and were EUR 4.0 million below the level of the previous year.

Other sales revenues amounted to EUR 6.6 million and were EUR 0.7 million higher than in the previous year.

Karlsberg Brauerei GmbH continues to focus on expanding its major brands Karlsberg, MiXery, and the international partner brand Bundaberg.

MiXery, a nationally important brand in the beer mix segment, is the top-selling brand for the Homburg-based company. In addition, Bundaberg, the international premium lemonade marketed exclusively in Germany, generated significant growth with two new varieties. In order to further promote the development of the brands in focus in national food retailing, the brewery has again expanded its sales team.

The Karlsberg team is particularly proud of the award for its Karlsberg Kellerbier as the best lager in the world. The award was presented by the World Beer Award, one of the most prestigious international beer competitions, which is held annually in London.

With a new modern keg filling line, the company has also invested in its catering business and made a significant contribution to ecological goals in terms of reducing CO2 and water consumption. The brewery's investments also focus on digitalization: in order to optimize its business processes and be even closer to its customers in the future, it is currently switching to ERP software that is specifically tailored to the beverage industry.

Christian Weber, General Manager of Karlsberg Brauerei KG Weber: "As a team, we have confirmed the stability of our business model and set the course for the future. Together, we continue to strategically focus on the growth of our major brands in Germany and abroad."

Markus Meyer, Managing Director of Karlsberg Brauerei GmbH, expects a moderate increase in sales for the 2022 financial year. With simultaneously increased expenses for marketing and sales and significantly reduced other operating income, it is assumed that adjusted EBITDA will be moderately above that of the past year.