Tymbark Maspex Romania forecasts a profit increase for this year, after last year it registered its first decline in four years.
In 2007, the producer of Tymbark juices and La Festa instant products posted profit worth 3.4 million RON (one million euros), around a quarter of the value reported in 2006 - 15.1 million RON (4.3 million euros).
"This decline was triggered by several factors: the depreciation of the domestic currency (mainly starting in the third quarter of 2007), whilst the company allocated significant sums from its budget for last year's marketing strategies," said Krysztof Grabowski, president of Tymbark Maspex Romania, the local branch of the Polish group Maspex.
The company registered an accelerated growth rate in 2007, a 29% rise on the previous year, and reached turnover of 190 million RON (57 million euros), according to data from Tymbark Maspex Romania.
Last year, the producer entered the still drinks segment (juices with less than 25% fruit content) with Tymbark Cool, in the wake of investments worth around 7 million euros in PET bottling lines. This year, the company has introduced another brand onto the still drinks market (Tedi), which targets children, a still underdeveloped sub-category on the local market.
In 2008, Tymbark Maspex's development strategy aims for a 15% market share on the still drinks segment, which accounts for around 80% of the non-carbonated drinks market. However, the company has not revealed the value of last year's promotional budget for juices. Last year also saw Tymbark enter the ice tea segment, one of the most dynamic categories on the drinks market.
Tymbark is the leader of the juice segment, with a 32% market share, according to studies cited by the company last year. The company's main rivals on the local market are Coca-Cola Hellenic, Pepsi Americas and Parmalat.
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