Double-digit Q1 2008 rise in sales for Pepsi Americas

Volume improved by 12.7 percent, with constant territory up 1.7 percent driven by double digit volume growth in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE).

CEE’s operating income increased to $14.9 mln, a $13.9 mln improvement over the prior year driven by acquisitions, currency benefits and improved operational performance.

Net income amounted to $24.7 million in the first quarter of 2008, with revenue up 14 percent, to 1.1 billion, including acquisitions.

“First quarter was a continuation of those things that drove our success in 2007. Central and Eastern Europe continued to drive our growth, reflecting growth across all categories,” said Robert C. Pohland, General Manager of Pepsi Americas.

The Q1 operating income was $57.4 mln.

Pepsi Americas, second-largest producer and distributor of PepsiCo beverages, posted an advance of 12 percent in income in 2007, to $39.47 billion, while profit went up by only 0.2 percent, to $5.65 billion.

Pepsi Americas Romania posted sales of €153.5 million in 2007, 23 percent higher year-on-year. The company announced investments of over $100 mln in a factory in Bucharest.