Damm closed 2021 with a turnover of €1,488M and a net profit of €121M
The brewery improves revenues by 21.5% over 2020 and by 7.5% over 2019.
Damm, the leading company in producing, bottling and distributing beverages in the Iberian Peninsula, with a presence in the logistics, catering (Rodilla and Hamburguesa Nostra) and food (Ebro Foods) sectors, achieved solid results in the 2021 financial year that are above pre-pandemic levels. Specifically, the company achieved consolidated revenues of €1,488 million, up 21.5% from the previous year and up 7.5% from 2019. Chaired by Demetrio Carceller Arce, the company's net profits were €121.3 million in 2021, a result that demonstrates profitable and sustainable growth. The company also increased its workforce by 393 people to 5,100 employees worldwide. The results will be submitted for approval at the company's next Shareholders' Meeting, to be held at the Estrella Damm Old Brewery in May 24. There will be a preview of the performance for the 2022, a particularly complex year as a result of increasing production costs, both for raw materials and packaging materials as well as energy and transport costs, will be presented.
Despite the difficult economic situation resulting from the pandemic and the containment measures put in place by the health authorities, in particular the restrictions suffered by the on-trade industry, sales volumes have seen significant increases in all product categories compared to the previous year. Tourism recovery, both national and international, has been one of the elements that led to achieving these results. In this respect, the volume of beverages (beer, soft drinks, mineral water and dairy products) produced in 2021 stood at 19.3 million hectolitres.
Last year Damm acquired the 50% of Cacaolat's capital that it did not control, thus becoming the company's sole shareholder. With a well-established portfolio with iconic brands such as Cacaolat, Letona, Laccao and Agama, it is the leader in the milkshakes and milk segment in the on-trade industry. It also has a strong national presence as a leader in the family format of milkshakes in the food and hospitality channel, being also the brand that has grown the most in the last two years.
Consolidation of external growth
The company currently markets and distributes its products in more than 130 countries with a sustained growth in past years. This significant progress in the internationalisation process has been possible thanks to the commitment to innovation and constant creativity, as well as optimisaing the value chain at a global level. The company now has a team of more than 250 people dedicated exclusively to international business.
The commitment to industrial and technological development is another of the key axes on which the company is working. Among the main investment projects underway are the expansion of the plants, various improvement projects in the logistics and operations departments. The aim is to achieve significant improve efficiency and productivity to absorb increases in costs from external factors in production and as well as investing in innovation and development of new products.
Within the framework of these investments, next June will also see the inauguration of a new can packaging line at the company's plant in El Prat del Llobregat, which will create 50 new jobs. The line will occupy an area of 11,600m2 and has involved an investment of €25 million. In addition to the packaging line, which is state-of-the-art in terms of technology and energy efficiency, a new auxiliary building has also been constructed.
Sustainability as a strategic pillar: circularity and eco-design
In 2021 investment in environmental performance improvement activities exceeded €6 million. The company continues to work to minimise the impact of its activity on the environment, with circularity being one of the key points. Specifically, the group reintroduces into the value chain 97% of the by-products it generates in its production plants, as well as 100% of the bagasse from the barley malt and rice cooking process used during the brewing process. The company's involvement in the circular economy is clearly demonstrated by its collaboration with associations such as Ecovidrio, whose General Manager, Jorge Villavecchia, holds the presidency, and Ecoembes, with which it also collaborates to recycle light household packaging.
As part of the company's sustainability plan, it also completed the project to replace the decorative plastics on packs of cans with packaging made from cardboard from sustainably and responsibly managed forests. This project removes 100 tonnes of plastic per year and is in addition to the pioneering initiative to eliminate plastic rings, which already removed 260 tonnes of plastic per year.
Finally, the projects to promote energy and water efficiency in all facilities should be highlighted, where 100% of the electricity consumed comes from green sources; as a result of investment in efficient generation sources, such as generation, trigeneration from biogas or solar energy, 45% less energy is used for the production of each hectolitre compared to 10 years ago. Water consumption at all production sites has also been reduced by 37% over the last decade.
Social support
Furthermore, maintaining its close relationship with society, the company continues to promote numerous projects to contribute to the construction of a fairer and more egalitarian society. The Damm Foundation, which celebrated its twentieth anniversary in 2021, has promoted 75 collaboration projects with cultural, social, educational and sporting entities. It highlights its commitment to grassroots sport as a tool for promoting physical activity, healthy habits and the values associated with sport.
