Local media: Coca-Cola Romania posts first business growth since 2008, profits also up in 2012

Coca-Cola Romania recorded its first growth in business since 2008 last year, with turnover up 12 percent, or 6 percent when expressed in euros, to EUR 435 million. Profits were also up, by some 8 percent, to reach EUR 33 million, according to local economic news publication Ziarul Financiar. The profit margin remained steady at 8 percent in 2012, similar to the previous year. The net income for 2008 to 2012 was near to EUR 220 million, according to the same source. However, the number of employees fell again to 1,642 towards the end of 2012, 100 fewer than in the previous year and almost half the number in 2005 – some 3,000. After 2005, Coca-Cola Romania closed three factories, accounting for the dramatic fall in staff numbers, according to ZF. Volume sales in Romania increased by 1 percent in the full year 2012, driven by sparkling beverages. The brand Coca-Cola increased by high single-digits, while Coca-Cola Zero posted strong double-digit growth, albeit from a lower base, according to a recent Coca Cola Hellenic report. Coca-Cola Romania is part of the Coca-Cola Hellenic Group and operates four factories, in Iaşi, Timişoara, Ploieşti and Vatra Dornei, bottling Coca-Cola, Fanta, Sprite, Schweppes, Cappy, Nestea, Dorna, Poiana Negri, Burn and Illy. editor@romania-insider.com (photo source: sxc.hu)