In 2011 Azuga Waters posted turnover of RON31 million (EUR7.1 million), according to data provided to ZF by company representatives.
“The company signed new contracts with major clients in the second half of last year,” said Violeta Moraru about the factors that will drive the turnover growth.
Another explanation for the significant growth is that the business is a burgeoning one, having been recently started by the Morarus, who are better known for the Azuga beer business.
The two spouses exited the beer business in 2009. Then, the Morarus sold the company to Ursus, leader of the beer market. Ursus closed down the Azuga plant soon after takeover, but rented out the facilities to the Morarus, who produce non-carbonated and carbonated water there.
Last year the owners of Azuga Waters said they were interested in the Azuga assets, but it is not known whether the two parties have struck a deal or not.
At the beginning of 2010, the Morarus started to bottle the Azuga Apa de Izvor brand on the low-priced segment through Azuga Waters.
“This year we plan to invest around EUR2 million in the Azuga plant and in transport vehicles in order to ensure timely deliveries, especially during the peak seasons – the summer and the holiday season, when the local transport market is not able to meet requirements,” Violeta Moraru added.
The mineral waters market that the company operates on amounts to over 10 million hectoliters and is worth over EUR300 million, with consumption per capita being of around 50 liters per year.
“Water consumption is affected by the current crisis, which is taking much longer than we all were expecting. It will increase very slightly next year, by 3% at the most, and private labels, thanks to their much more attractive price, will increasingly gain ground over national brands,” Violeta Moraru also said.
(English version by Daniela Stoican)