Apemin Tusnad, the bottler of Tusnad mineral water, generated turnover of close to 6 million euros in the first half of this year, up 35% in RON against the same period of 2006.
The company's gross income leapt by 150% compared with the same period of last year, reaching almost 3 million RON (0.9m euros), according to Apemin Tusnad data.
The company, present on the market with Tusnad mineral water, Izvorul Zanelor spring water and Izvorul Ascuns table water, expects sales to reach 15 million euros this year, almost 70% higher than in 2006.
Tusnad mineral water, the strongest brand in the company's portfolio, brings 75% of its sales volume, while Izvorul Ascuns holds 19% and Izvorul Zanelor the rest of 6%.
The producer this year added a new bottling line, which tripled its Tusnad production capacity.
Investments the company started last year have recently reached 6.5m euros, with the project being related to the construction of an office building, the acquisition of a bottling line with a capacity of 24,000 litres per hour and an installation for soft drinks.
Apemin Tusnad currently owns two bottling lines for mineral water, with an overall capacity of 42,000 litres per hour.
"Financing sources were 60% banking loans, with the rest being made up of our own funds and, to a smaller extent, of loans from suppliers," specified Gyarfas Kurko, general manager with Apemin Tusnad.
The bottler plans to enter the segment of juices by developing its own brand or through partnerships with foreign producers related only to the distribution of products.
The company in 2006 bottled around 61 million litres overall and foresees sales of 90 million litres of water for 2007. Investments meant to raise production capacity will take the company's number of employees to 200 by yearend, from 143 in late 2006.
On the distribution s
