Coca-Cola's Irish arm grows 6.5%

THE COMPANY that sells all Coca-Cola products in Ireland increased the size of its business by 6.5 per cent to €251 million in 2007.

According to returns just made by Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company (CCHBC) subsidiary John Daly Co Ltd, it increased its operating profit after reorganisation costs by 22 per cent to €7.1 million in 2007.

Ninety-four per cent or €238.8 million of the company’s sales in 2007 came from its soft drinks division.

The company – which bottles, distributes and sells all Coke brands in Ireland – sustained a drop in pre-tax profits from €22.4 million in 2006 to €7.1 million in 2007. However, the profit of €22.4 million was largely attributable to the company booking a €16.5 million profit from the sale of a former plant in Dublin. Accounts show accumulated profits of €45.7 million at the end of 2007.