Bralirwa unveils new plant to enhance packaging

Bralirwa Ltd, Rwanda’s main producer and seller of beer and soft drinks has unveiled a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plant to enhance product packaging. The multimillion dollar PET line means Bralirwa soft drink products will be parked in plastic bottles for efficiency and convenience purposes. The world class extensive soft drink portfolio under the flagship Coca-Cola brand, soft drinks will now be available on the Rwandan market in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles, Jonathan Hall, the Vice Chairman of the Board and Managing Director, said. “This investment made in PET shows the clear commitment of Bralirwa Ltd in putting the consumer at the center of our thinking and our ambition to address evolving consumer needs,” Hall noted adding that the new innovation will create substantial additional business opportunity for the company. He added that, the company will continue to offer expanded assortment of flavours to satisfy its customer needs. Over the past four years, Bralirwa has invested heavily in both the brewery located in Gisenyi, Rubavu District, and the soft drinks plant in Kicukiro, a Kigali suburb. The company registered a 9.5% increase in 2015 revenues, which the company authorities have attributed to the increase in sales and volumes, especially for the soft drinks. Total sales volume equally increased by 7.6% with beer sales growing by 5.3% and soft drinks by 14% during 2015. However, despite strong sales, and revenue growth, margins have remained under pressure in 2015 resulting in lower levels of profitability. Equally, earnings before interest and taxation (EBIT) declined by 49.2% to Rwf13.05 billion, while profit and total comprehensive income (Profit after Tax) for the year declined by 37.6%. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Bralirwa unveils new plant to enhance packaging