Halewood International’s profits fizz

HALEWOOD International, the Liverpool-based drinks distributor and manufacturer produced a sparking financial performance in the year to June.

The increase in sales and profits for the year to June 25 will inevitably be overshadowed by the death of chairman and majority shareholder John Halewood in October aged 64.

After Mr Halewood’s death, his family and senior management team, moved quickly to stress the business would remain as an independent concern.

His widow Judy has recently taken over as chair of the company which is behind the Lambrini, Red Square Vodka and Crabbie’s Alcoholic Ginger beer brands.

The accounts for Halewood International Holdings show the business making strong progress with sales – excluding Vintage Drinks which was sold for £3.8m in October 2010 – rising 11.7% from £226.2m to £252.7m.

Pre-tax profits soared 80% from £8.7m to £15.7m, while ebitda rose 47% to £21.7m.

In its review of trading Halewood said it had achieved “significant growth” despite challenging trading conditions throughout the consumer sector and the general economy throughout Europe.

It added: “This performance reflects the strength of the brands within the group, The group has invested in internal product development and launched several new products during the period.

Looking ahead Halewood said the domestic market – which accounts for more than 70% of turnover – remains “very competitive” and said it would continue with its successful strategy of new product development combined with: “key strategic brand acquisition, tight cost control and focus on production efficiency”.

Halewood, based in Huyton, employs more than 1,000 people worldwide and has operations in Romania, South Africa and China as well as in this country.