CARLSBERG A/S 09 ANNUAL REPORT The Carlsberg Group is one of the leading brewery groups in the world, with a large portfolio of beer and other beverage brands. The flagship brand – Carlsberg – is one of the best-known beer brands in the world. More than 43,000 people work for the Carlsberg Group, and our products are sold in more than 150 markets. MANAGEMENT REVIEW 2 CEO statement 5 Five-year summary 02 6 Earnings expectations 8 Executive Committee 12 Our beer markets 14 Market overview 16 Beer portfolio 18 Group strategy 20 People agenda 22 Corporate social responsibility 26 Events in 2009 30 Northern & Western Europe 34 Eastern Europe 38 Asia 42 Financial review 46 Corporate governance and risk management 52 Shareholder information FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 58 Carlsberg Group 126 Parent Company Carlsberg A/S 58 154 Management statement 155 Auditors’ report 156 Supervisory Board 2 Management review CEO statement STRONG PROFIT 2009 was a challeng- GROWTH ing year for Carlsberg and the global brewing industry. The global economy affected consumer behaviour negatively and overall beer market volumes declined. While the Asian markets were less affected by the crisis, the Northern & Western European and, in particular, the Eastern European markets were materially impacted. Although consumers reduced their consumption, they remained loyal to their favour- ite brands leading to a positive price/mix across many markets. This occurred despite the negative channel mix from on-trade to off-trade. Carlsberg was well prepared entering 2009. In late 2008 and early 2009 the Group implemented and accelerated numerous efficiency improvement ini- tiatives to protect earnings and improve cash flow and as a result was able to mitigate the impact from the declining markets. Carlsberg delivered a strong operating profit improvement, improved overall market shares and delivered a very substan- tial free cash flow improvement. A busy agenda In early 2009, Carlsberg integrated its global R&D, innovation, sales and marketing activities into one organisation. The goal is to expand and focus the innovation process driving key concepts across more markets more quickly so as to accelerate revenue growth and gain volume and value shares in all regions. As part of these efforts Carlsberg will evolve and develop brand positions and portfolio structure. Several product launches took place in 2009, key events being the relaunch of the 1664 and Kronenbourg brands in France and the kvass Khlebny Krai launch in Russia. In China, Carlsberg Light was launched targeting the restaurant sector, and Somersby Cider was rolled out across new markets in Northern & Western Europe. Carlsberg Annual Report 2009 3 Driven by Carlsberg’s ambition to improve efficiency, We were well prepared several structural initiatives were carried out in 2009. The Norwegian Arendal brewery was sold, the Fin- entering 2009 and as nish Pori brewery was closed, the German Braun- schweig brewery with its fighter brand activities a result we were able was divested, Carlsberg entered into a distribution cooperation with the Nordmann Group in Germany to mitigate the impact and it was decided to close the Leeds brewery in 2011. Carlsberg also signed two Memoranda of Under- from challenging mar- standing with the aim of increasing its shareholdings kets and thereby deliver in the Habeco and Hué breweries in Vietnam. In addition to these efforts a number of projects were earnings growth and continued and initiated with the aim of improving governance, driving best practice, growing revenue and ultimately improving efficiency. Major projects significant cash flow. included: establishment of a global procurement or- ganisation, strengthened shared services, centralised IT organisation, expansion of value management toolbox, establishment of on-trade programmes based on consumer insights across regions, and a new integrated people performance assessment and organisational succession-planning process. In 2009, the Executive Committee was strength- ened by the appointments of Khalil Younes, Senior Vice President, Group Sales, Marketing & Innova- tion; Jesper Friis, Senior Vice President, Western Europe; Jørn Tolstrup Rohde, Senior Vice President, Northern Europe; and Roy Bagattini, Senior Vice President, Asia. These appointments have further strengthened the leadership competences and added further experience in global fast moving consumer goods to the Group. Business development Organic Group beer volumes declined by 4%. Includ- ing acquisitions beer volumes increased by 6% to 116.0m hl (109.3m hl in 2008). In Q4 organic beer volumes were flat. Although there were signs of im- provements in some Northern & Western European markets at the end of the year, underlying beer volumes continued to decline in the region. In Eastern 4 Management review Europe, volumes grew slightly in Q4. This growth was raw material costs in Eastern Europe all contrib- solely due to the Russian stockbuilding ahead of the uted positively. The efficiency improvements were excise duty increase on 1 January 2010. The Asian necessary due to the challenging market conditions business continued to grow. Pro rata Group volumes and although some cost reductions were linked to of other beverages were 19.8m hl as in 2008. volume, it is Carlsberg’s expectation that a signifi- cant part of the cost base reduction is sustainable Net revenue declined by 1% to DKK 59,382m (DKK as it has predominantly been driven by structural 59,944m in 2008) driven by flat organic growth and process changes. (consisting of total volume -4% and price/mix +4%), currency impact -7% and acquisition impact 6%. Eastern Europe generated organic operating profit Organic net revenue growth was 3% in Q4. growth of 38%, and the region was a key contributor to the Group’s strong performance. This growth was The continued focus on portfolio and value man- achieved despite very challenging markets. Northern agement coupled with pricing and strong sales & Western Europe delivered 6% organic operating execution were the key drivers behind the price/ profit growth while the Asian business continued its mix effect of 4%. The positive mix in Northern & strong organic performance throughout the year Western Europe and Asia was offset by the nega- with 19% organic operating profit growth. tive mix in Eastern Europe resulting from a shift in channel and packaging mix, and from Q3, also from Net profit was DKK 3.6bn (DKK 2.6bn in 2008) and a marginal shift between brands. The negative cur- earnings per share were DKK 23.6 (DKK 22.1 in 2008). rency effect was mainly driven by weaker Eastern European currencies. Operating cash flow grew by 74% to DKK 13.6bn (DKK 7.8bn in 2008) and free cash flow increased Higher input costs affected the Group negatively substantially to DKK 10.5bn. The intense focus and cost of sales per hl increased organically by throughout the Group on improving cash flow was approximately 2% for the year. While Carlsberg very successful, especially within working capital benefited from lower raw material prices in Eastern management. Also, capital expenditures, cash Europe in 2009, the Group was negatively affected charges for taxes and interest costs were markedly by higher raw material prices in Northern & Western reduced and profits improved. Europe and Asia. Driven by increase in net revenue per hl, lower input costs in Eastern Europe and pro- Although capital expenditures have been reduced, duction efficiencies across the Group, organic gross the Group has continued to invest in markets with profit growth per hl was 8% (8% in Q4). Organic capacity constraints and long-term growth oppor- gross profit margin improvement per hl was around tunities. In 2009 Carlsberg initiated construction of 130bp (approximately 180bp improvement in Q4). breweries in India and Vietnam. The Group has maintained a focused marketing A key focus area in 2009 has been debt reduction spend supporting our key brands and activities. The and as a result of the very strong free cash flow, net share of voice in 2009 was on a level with 2008 de- interest-bearing debt was reduced to DKK 35.7bn spite lower brand marketing costs. The lower brand as at 31 December 2009 compared to DKK 44.2bn marketing costs were primarily driven by media de- at the end of 2008. Net debt/EBITDA declined to flation, lower media activity overall and the EURO 2.7x at 31 December 2009 compared to the Group’s 2008 sponsorship impacting 2008. expectations of “below 3x”. Group operating profit increased by 18% to DKK Thank you 9,390m (DKK 7,978m in 2008). Organic operating profit growth was 21%, currency impact was -13% On behalf of the whole Carlsberg Group, I would and acquisitions contributed 10%. Operating profit like to take this opportunity to thank our many for the beverage activities was DKK 9,460m (DKK employees around the world for their extraordinary 7,604m in 2008) with organic growth of 28% (14% work and loyalty in times of uncertainty, workforce in DKK). Organic operating profit growth acceler- reduction and other efficiency measures, which had ated in Q4 due to the Russian stockbuilding and an impact on the daily lives of all Carlsberg em- was 35% for the Group and 32% for the beverage ployees. I would also like to thank our customers, activities in the quarter. suppliers and other partners for productive cooper- ation. And finally, I want to thank our shareholders Strong organic profit growth was achieved despite for supporting our strategy. the volume decline. This is largely attributable to the Group’s