Aujan Industries on track to meet 2012 US$1bn Group Sales Target

Aujan Industries on track to meet 2012 US$1bn Group Sales Target

GCC’s largest privately-owned drinks company reports 20 per cent growth in 2010 .

February 25, 2011 12:16 by Rasha Reslan

Aujan Industries, the largest privately-owned beverages firm in the Middle East and manufacturers of the popular beverage brands Rani, Vimto, and Barbican, today revealed that the company is on track to meet its ambitious US$1billion sales target by 2012, buoyed by full-year 2010 growth figures of 20 per cent. The announcement was made ahead of the company’s participation at Gulfood 2011, being held from February 27^th to March 2^nd at the World Trade Centre, Dubai.

The Middle East’s number one juice brand, Rani, leads brand sales, with increases of 23 per cent value year-on-year. Aujan’s Vimto cordial sold 29 million bottles in the GCC in 2010, and currently accounts for more than 90 per cent of the regional cordial market. The company’s Barbican brand also grew in terms of footprint and product range with the latest introduction of the brand in the Iranian and Egyptian markets, and the addition of the cans range to its portfolio.

The Group announced plans to accelerate its growth in November last year, setting a milestone target of US$1bn in sales by the end of 2012. Overall, the team at Aujan Industries is aiming at sustaining the +20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) that the team managed to deliver over the past 5 years. To meet the target, Aujan Industries is undertaking an aggressive strategy of global expansion and further gains in market share across the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia region (MENASA), with a focus on emerging markets including Egypt, Syria, Libya, and Algeria.

President and CEO of Aujan Industries, Kadir Gunduz says: “There are a number of fast emerging markets in the region which are crucial to our growth strategy. Our brands have long been market leaders across the GCC, representing as much as 90 per cent of market share in their segments, so the acceleration of growth within the Gulf would be relatively difficult. However, with markets where we enter as challenger brands we have huge potential. For example, in Egypt Rani jumped from seventh to third best-selling juice in only nine months. Given the speed of our success, we’re now focused on creating an even larger global footprint, and are in the initial stages of expansion into new territories including India and Malaysia.”

To handle increased consumer demand for its products, Aujan Industries is investing more than 100 million Euros on capacity expansion, modernization and infrastructure at its current plants in Dubai, Tehran and Dammam, increasing output capacity by approximately 40 per cent. The company also plans to add one more plant to its portfolio by 2013.

Gunduz sees the Gulfood exhibition as a further opportunity for the company to grow and reach untapped markets. “Gulfood is a great opportunity to meet with the region’s leading suppliers and distributors, and as we are actively looking to target new markets, of course we will be looking to broker new deals and take advantage of potential opportunities. We will also be showcasing some of our most recent and innovative product developments, including new flavours that we are about to bring to market. We expect to create a great deal of trade interest as a result.”

Visitors to Gulfood can find the Aujan Industries at stand F2-10 (Hall 2), where confirmed Senior Aujan Executives attending include President and CEO Kadir Gunduz, Vice President Strategy and Business Development, Meshal Al Kadeeb and Head of Brands, Ahmed Shaboury.