Adelaide’s Coopers Brewery has begun
exporting its beers to Finland.
Coopers, Australia’s third largest brewer,
recently won an export contract with giant Finnish wholesaler, Heinon Tukku, to
supply Pale Ale, Sparkling Ale and Stout.
A shipment of Coopers ales is expected to arrive
in Finland shortly to coincide with the height of the European summer.
Coopers Brewery Chairman and Marketing Director,
Mr Glenn Cooper, said the contract was another example of Coopers increasing
global reach as its reputation for fine ales spread around the world.
“We are delighted to be sending our beers to
the world and especially into markets that have previously been unfamiliar with
Australian ales,” Mr Cooper said.
Coopers Export Manager, Mr Terry Miniken,
said that while Finland had traditionally been a large spirits consumer, beer
and wine sales have grown significantly in recent years as the younger
generation adopts more Central European and Mediterranean drinking habits.
“This makes it an exciting and emerging market
for our ales,” he said.
Heinon Tukku is a family-owned company that has
operated in Finland for more than a century and services more than 12,000
customers.
It specialises in wholesale services for the
hotel, catering and restaurant industries, while also supplying food retailers
through wholesale cash-and-carry centres. It recorded a turnover of 154 million
euro in 2004.
The Finnish contract adds to Coopers impressive
list of export destinations, including the United Kingdom, USA, Europe and South
America.
Mr Cooper said exports were a valuable component
of Coopers total sales.
> Coopers Brewery
