Investment bears fruit for cider maker

Aston Manor Cider is looking forward to continuing its growth as its five-year plan to “consolidate and broaden” its operations bears fruit.

Despite challenges in the cider market – which has seen a reduction in popularity in recent years – Aston Manor increased sales by 4% last year, to £113m.

Pre-tax profits narrowed, down 15% to £4.4m, as a consequence of increased investment in the business.

The independent cider-maker has spent more than £30m in the last five years in developing the business – and its successes saw it win the Innovation Award at TheBusinessDesk.com’s West Midlands Business Masters in June.

This autumn’s harvest will be the first to benefit from a tree-planting programme which has added 400,000 trees.

Investment in production facilities means that Aston Manor believes it can now accelerate performance while reducing the scale of future investment.

James Ellis, Aston Manor’s chief financial officer said: “Given that the intensive investment of recent years will reduce, we anticipate that our continued performance will grow income and profits.

“Having also invested time and effort into overseas markets, we expect to see exports making an even greater contribution.”

Gordon Johncox, chief executive at Aston Manor Cider, highlighted the upcoming Rugby League World Cup – which will promote Kingstone Press through its partnership with the England team – as one of the factors that will support increased sales.

He added: “Our strategic plan is delivering ahead of expectations meaning we are confident that no other cider maker, perhaps no other drinks producer, is better established and better placed to respond to challenges and develop opportunities.

“We regard being responsive and nimble, even with our scale, as absolutely essential. Hence investment has focused on developing our manufacturing and packaging capability as much as expanding capacity.”