TBD doubles its distribution area and business in 2008

"I estimate our business will double next year, up to €400 million, against a backdrop of higher excise tax for cigarettes and the expansion of our distribution area," Wael El Ghadban, TBD's General Manager, told Business Standard.

The company currently covers ten counties and the capital Bucharest, while the new counties are Brasov, Sibiu, Harghita, Mures, Bistrita, Alba, Covasna, and Prahova. Distributors are facing difficulties in developing their client network due to poor infrastructure.

TBD is currently negotiating to add other producers to their distribution portfolio, although it declined to provide details regarding these.

The company is also developing a production project to launch its own brand of food products at the beginning of 2009. TBD has budgeted a €4 mln investment for the opening of a third logistics center in Bucharest to be finalized by the end of 2008.

TBD registered a 27 percent annual increase in turnover in the first half of 2007, up to 95 mln.

Interbrands Marketing & Distribution, Aquila, Astral Impex, Elgeka-Ferfelis, Macromex, Whiteland, and Lekkerland Romania are also operating on the fast-moving consumer goods distribution market.