India: United Spirits hits 100 million cases
India: United Spirits has crossed the milestone of 100 million cases for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010.
According to the UB Group company, this achievement makes them the world’s second-largest spirits company by volume, knocking Paris-headquartered Pernod Ricard off the spot.
Dr. Vijay Mallya, chairman, The UB Group said: “We have done extremely well, despite the economic slowdown this year. This has been made possible through our sheer dedication and commitment to the vision of becoming the best in the business. It wasn’t long ago that we were merely a 3 million case company. We have created a new history in the world of beverage alcohol by selling 740 million cases in about a quarter of a century. The Indian spirits industry today is pegged at 236 million cases and USL has a 59% market share in India in the segments it operates in. We are certain that our additional sales in the next financial year will take us to the No. 1 position globally.”
United Breweries Limited (UBL) also announced that in the financial year ended 31 March 2010 it has sold more than 7.8 million hectolitres of beer, which is equivalent to over 100 million cases. This represents a growth of more than 20% over the previous fiscal, and has been achieved even as UBL discontinued supply to Andhra Pradesh - the largest beer market in the country – for three months in the peak season.
Dr. Vijay Mallya, chairman of United Breweries Limited said: “I am absolutely delighted that UBL has achieved the milestone of over 100 million cases sale this year. The Kingfisher brand has grown from strength to strength and is today rapidly becoming the icon of a new vibrant and emerging India. With the launch of ‘Kingfisher Ultra’, we have set new standards in packaging and quality. I am confident that the crossing of this milestone will set the company’s growth on a new trajectory that will be driven by innovation, world class marketing programs and state-of the art manufacturing facilities.”