AUSTRIA: TIGHT COMPETITION IN MINERAL WATER

Article Abstract:

Trade's private labels are putting pressure on Austria's 25 mineral water producers. Spar reports that its private label water that comes from the region around Lake Garda in Italy is successful. It costs about Sch 3.90 per litre. According to Romerquelle, the plastic bottle alone costs Sch 1.30. Romerquelle managing director Anton Wandl predicts that no more than 5 to 6 mineral water producers will survive on the Austrian market. They will include 3 to 4 foreign ones. In year 2000 the prices of mineral water in Austria fell by 5.2%. Consumption grew 4.2% to 622.9mn litres. Per capita consumption is 77 litres, compared with 120 litres in Italy and Spain and 90 litres in Germany. According to the credit information agency Kreditschutzverband von 1870, the solvency of Austrian mineral water bottles is "unexpectedly poor" and deteriorated further in the second half of 2000. In autumn 2001 Gussinger, which is part of the BBAG group, is to introduce a new strategy to strengthen its brand. According to managing director Hubert Mattersdorfer, the company made the mistake of betting on the low-price segment. The company has given notice to 8 of its 35 staff and reduced another 4 jobs to part-time. Romerquelle, on the other hand, is considering to enter the Czech and Slovak markets. The company already exports water to Germany and Hungary. Meanwhile Voslauer is betting on so-called wellness waters. In year 2000 the company sold 1.8mn litres of a herb drink that retails at Sch 18.90 per litre.

Slovakia

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AUSTRIA: SEMPERIT JOBS GOING EAST

Article Abstract:

According to employees' representatives, equipment for the production of car tyres in the conventional technology at Semperit Reifen GmbH will be dismantled in January 2000 for relocation to the Czech Republic. This involves the loss of 70 jobs at the Austrian Traiskirchen-based subsidiary of the German Hanover-based tyre maker Continental. The employees' representatives fear that car tyre production in Traiskirchen will be closed in the medium term. In year 2000 no more than 1.4mn tyres will be produced in the conventional method, although in 1996 Continental had promised to keep production at 2mn units per year. The Modular Manufacturing Process will be used to make 1mn tyres in 2000, but 80% of the value-added for these tyres will come from the Czech Republic. Also lorry tyre production at Traiskirchen will be reduced slightly in 2000. The weekly working time in this sector will be reduced to 32 hours. When Continental's tyre factory in Puchov, Slovakia, becomes fully operational in 2001, the group will close one of its west European lorry tyre factories.

Germany, Plant shutdown, Rubber & Plastic Products, Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing, Tires, Tire Manufacturing (except Retreading), Semperit Reifen AG

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AUSTRIA: WALDQUELLE BOOSTS MINERAL WATER OUTPUT

Article Abstract:

By the end of May 2000 Waldquelle is to bring on stream a new Sch 45mn bottling facility with a capacity of 30,000 litres per hour. In the highly competitive Austrian mineral water market where it is one of the three biggest players, Waldquelle is concentrating on the lower price brackets. In six weeks time the company is to launch a non-carbonated mineral water under the Waldquelle label. In the financial year to the end of September 2000 Waldquelle aims to raise market share in the retail trade from 13% to 15%. Turnover is to be raised to Sch 141mn from Sch 131mn in 1998/99. Waldquelle is setting hopes on single-trip PET bottles, with which Voslauer overtook Romerquelle as the food retail market leader in 1999. According to Nielsen figures, Voslauer's market share exceeds 30%.

New capacity, new plant construction

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