Operational review

A key priority is to drive top-line growth through the creation of a global portfolio that combines the power of local and international brands. The Heineken brand is our jewel in the crown.

Top-line growth is the key measure of our strength. To achieve it, we focus on building our brands and portfolios in terms of value, volume and profitability. We seek to balance the management and growth of our local, regional and global brands, with the management and growth of Heineken, the world’s most valuable international premium beer brand. Despite the challenging market conditions, which saw heavy increases in raw material and packaging costs, and a worsening economic environment, our top-line performance continued to improve across our brand portfolio, with an organic 7.4 per cent increase in revenues and an organic 3.5 per cent rise in consolidated beer volume. In 2008, we extended our portfolio of brands through the acquisition of Scottish & Newcastle’s beer and cider brands. These offer exciting new opportunities to complement our portfolio in a number of markets.