Information to press 26 September, 2007 Joint stock company „Latvijas Balzams” invests 1 000 000 euros in the first production line of filling drinks in tin cans in Latvia The joint stock company „Latvijas Balzams”, the largest alcoholic beverage producer in Baltic's has made the first steps towards a new kind of production in Latvia and has installed the first production line of filling drinks in tin cans. The total investments in the project exceed one million euros. „The joint stock company „Latvijas Balzams” continuously follows current events both in local and foreign markets. After considering Latvia's current economic situation, and beverage market tendencies- rapidly developing segment of long drinks, we concluded that we should use the opportunity and first have to stop importing of tin cans and consider investments in production” says Rolands Gulbis, the chairman of the board of „Latvijas Balzams”. „I believe that the first tin can filling line of alcoholic beverages in Latvia is innovation which will pay back both to the enterprise, and our country, as it is one of the ways of promoting potential of domestic production and export”. The new production line has the capacity of six thousand units per hour. Currently, „Latvijas Balzams” has 13 production lines employing more than 850 employees, and continuously is one of the largest tax payers in the state. „Latvijas Balzams” has launched the production of a new, locally filled cider drink series „Lucky Dog Light” using the new production line. „The market of long drinks in Latvia is rapidly developing. In 2006, in comparison with 2005, the production volume of „Lucky Dog” cider increased by 18%. We foresee that this year, cider production volume will have increased by 24%. The market share of „Latvijas Balzams” in long drink market segment for many consecutive years has exceeded 40%, whereas specifically in cider market segment it constitutes to 53%” points out Rolands Gulbis. According to market research, Latvia's consumers increasingly more choose light, refreshing drinks with low content of alcohol. When developing our new drinks, we take this tendency in consideration, and offer our customers exactly what they wish.” ”Lucky Dog Light” ciders are characteristic with light and luscious fruit flavor with refreshing aftertaste bouquet stemmed from strawberry, black current, apple, and cherry juice. In comparison with other ciders available in Latvia, it contains merely 4% alcohol, thus is created for those who enjoy refreshing drinks. Currently, there are three different „Lucky Dog Light” cider flavors- ”Lucky Dog Light” with cherry and chocolate flavor, ”Lucky Dog Light” with strawberry flavor, and ”Lucky Dog Light” with pomelo and cinnamon flavor, which is a unique mix of flavors, never to have been used by any cider producer. It is planned that in the nearest future the new ciders will be also available to customers in Finland and Sweden. About JSC "Latvijas balzams" JSC “Latvijas balzams” is one of the largest alcoholic beverage producers in the Baltic states. Currently, the company produces more than 130 different beverages, nearly 53% of which are long drinks. The main shareholder of JSC „Latvijas Balzams” is “S.P.I. Distilleries. B.V.”, which owns 88.05% of company's shares, and is a daughter company of „S.P.I. Group”. In the last few years, JSC „Latvijas Balzams” has become one of the most significant exporters in the country, and has significantly increased production of long drinks executing export orders of „S.P.I. Group”. In 2006, the total volume of company's export amounted to 31.4 million lats, up by 26% if compared to 2005. JSC “Latvijas Balzams” exports its products to 26 countries, but upon orders of „S.P.I. Group”, the company exports to more than 120 countries across the world. The company's turnover before audit in the first six months of 2007 has reached 48.7 million lats, up by 27.3% if compared to the results of the respective period last year. Company's profit in the first half of 2007 amounted to 1 494 thousand lats, up by 102% if compared to the respective period last year. Additional information Lelde Sāre, public relation consultant Tel. 67814136, 27025069, e-pasts: lelde.sare@sab.lv Aiga Aizpuriete, public relation specialist Tel. 67081295, 29490982, e-pasts: aiga.aizpuriete@lb.lv