Preliminary unaudited Stumbras AB profit before taxes in the year 2009 subsided to LTL 27.6 million (EUR 8.0 million). Profit before taxes decreased by 18.3 % compared to LTL 33.8 million (EUR 9.8 million) in pre-tax profit during the year of 2008. Stumbras AB sales in the year of 2009 amounted to LTL 119.1 million (EUR 34.5 million). Production sales decreased by 35.4 % compared to LTL 161.3 million (EUR 46.7 million) in sales during the year of 2008. During 2009, Stumbras AB paid LTL 255 million in taxes to the Lithuanian state budget (LTL 318 million in 2008). „Such results are the outcome of the generally poor state of Lithuanian economy, unfavorable taxes legislation and rapid growth of the illegal alcohol market. Based on our calculations, around 30 per cent of the strong alcohol market in Lithuania is already controlled by moon shiners. Unfortunately, black market is still on the rise“ - General manager Česlovas Matulevičius. According to Mr. Matulevičius, “despite of the economic hardship, Stumbras AB is determined to pursue its long-term strategy of producing only the best quality higher class strong alcoholic drinks. Retainment of the current consumers and active growth in the foreign markets are two of our Company's top priorities”. During the year of 2009, Stumbras AB invested around LTL 8,8 million into modernisation and renewment of its production base, material equipment and main product lines. „With these ongoing investments we seek that the products of our company become more competetive with the worldwide konwn strong alcohol brands. Given the current economy, it is of the utmost importance not to give up and to actively look for ways to overcome this market downturn. One of these possible ways is increasing our Company‘s export to foreign markets“, says Mr. Matulevičius. In order to increase production‘s appeal to foreign consumer, during last year, Company started to refresh and renew the product lines of its most important brands. At the end of 2009, the product line of the most popular vodka in Lithuania, the “Lithuanian vodka” was renewed. Investments into its production technology and bottle design amounted to LTL 2,5 million. In the autumn of 2009, refreshments to the „Stumbras vodka“ product line were also made. Total investments reached LTL 340 thousand. Also, around LTL 250 thousand investments were made to the Gloria brandy brand. Enclosed: - company's preliminary unaudited financial statements for 12 months of 2009; - confirmation of persons responsible for the financial statements Justas Rameika Investor relations +370 5 2786 218
Preliminary unaudited result and interim financial report for 12 months of the year 2009
| Quelle: Stumbras AB