Trooper boosts Robinson’s sales, but profits dip

FAMILY-owned Stockport brewery Robinsons has reported a dip in profits on the back of higher costs, despite seeing a rise in sales thanks to its successful partnership with heavy metal group Iron Maiden.

Robinsons worked with the band’s lead singer Bruce Dickinson to develop the Trooper beer, which has been a huge hit with heavy metal fans, so much so that the beer is sold in 40 countries and five million pints have been supped.

Frederic Robinson Ltd posted turnover of £58.6m for the year to December 2013, up from £56.1m in the previous year.
The brewer, which has invested significantly in a new brewhouse and visitor attraction in Stockport,  said sales of its own beers rose during the year, with the volume of off trade, wholesale and export sales doubling in 2013, largely thanks to the success of Trooper.

Trooper was launched in May 2013 and three and a half million pints have since been sold. Robinsons added it was the fastest ever-selling premium bottled beer new launch for supermarket chain Morrisons.

Despite the sale success pre-tax profit fell slightly last year from £3.4m to £3.1m following a rise in administrative expenses.

Writing in the accounts chairman Peter Robinson said: “Trade has been difficult during the last few years, with beer consumption nationally continuing to decline.

“We have continued to take action to reduce our costs by restructuring parts of the business, the results of which are already showing through.

“Our part of the country in the North West has been hit harder than most, but the green shoots are beginning to appear and I am confident that we are now in a good position to take advantage of the upturn.”