Major Czech Brewer Announces Financial Results for Fiscal Year

24.6.2005 Uncategorized

The financial results of Plzensky Prazdroj, a. s.
for the fiscal year ended 31st March 2005 were announced today.

Highlights:

Revenue growth of 4%, to CZK 13.1 bn.
Operating profit growth of 14.5%, to CZK 4.17 bn
Net profit increased to CZK 2.96 bn.

The period under review marked another successful year for Plzensky Prazdroj,
a. s. The company confirmed its position as the leading Czech brewer and beer
exporter by delivering excellent financial results and improving its market
share. This was achieved despite the cooler summer weather in 2004.

The impact of the weather caused decline in the total domestic market
compared to the prior year. Export sales however grew significantly, supported
by the Czech Republic‘s accession to the enlarged European Union in May 2004 and
the removal of border tariffs.

Production under licence in carefully selected and controlled markets
exceeded 1 million hectolitres for the first time.

Commenting on
the financial results, Mike Short, Chairman and Managing Director of Plzensky
Prazdroj, a. s. stated:

“During the financial year ended 31st March 2005, Plzensky Prazdroj, a. s.
again demonstrated its ability to return sound financial results. This was
achieved despite the challenging market conditions and the considerable
investments that we made during the year into our product portfolio, capital
infrastructure, support systems and our people. These investments were focused
on long-term growth, with this year’s good results underpinning sound investment
towards our future.”

Financial Highlights:

	Year ended 31 March 2005	Year ended 31 March 2004
Revenues from sales of goods, own products and services (CZK’000)	13,087,358	12,570,858
Operating profit (CZK’000)	4,165,803	3,639,176
Profit for the current period after tax (CZK’000)	2,962,226	2,826,213

Notes for editors:

With total sales of more than 9.7 million hectolitres for the calendar year
2004 and with beer sold in over 50 countries of the world, Plzensky Prazdroj, a.
s. is the leading brewing company in the region and the biggest exporter of
Czech beer.

In the financial year ended 31st March 2005, Plzensky Prazdroj, a. s.
employed, on a full-time equivalent basis, 2,694 people at the Pilsen, Nošovice
and Velké Popovice breweries, as well as in 13 Sales and Distribution Centres
throughout the Czech Republic.

Plzensky Prazdroj, a. s. is a member of SABMiller plc, by volume the second
largest global brewing company worldwide. Pilsner Urquell is an international
flagship brand of SABMiller.

Pilsen