Hansen Natural Corporation, the US energy and natural drink manufacturer, has reported record sales of $21.6 million for the final quarter of 2001, up 17.6 per cent on the previous year.
Operating profits for the same period rose 7.6 per cent to $642,000 from $597,000 a year earlier, while net profit increased 56.2 per cent to $328,000 from $210,000.
For the year as a whole, net sales rose 15.7 per cent to $92.3 million from $79.7 million, while operating income was $5.6 million compared with $6.9 million a year ago. Net income for the same period was $3.0 million compared with $3.9 million.
Rodney C. Sacks, chairman and chief executive officer, said: "While 2001 was a difficult year, the company's solid fourth quarter performance and record sales for the year were encouraging." He said that the record sales were achieved primarily through the growth in sales of natural sodas, energy drinks in 8.3-oz. slim cans and apple juice. Sales of Junior Juice since the acquisition of that brand at the end of May 2001 and Energade energy sport drinks and E20 Energy Water since their respective introductions during the year had also contributed.
The increase in sales was partially offset by decreased sales of Smoothies in PET and glass bottles, Signature Sodas, children's multi-vitamin juice drinks in 8.4-oz. aseptic packages, iced teas, lemonades and juice cocktails and Healthy Start/Silver Foxes juices in PET and glass bottles and functional drinks (other than energy drinks) in 8.3-oz. slim cans.
Sacks added that Hansen's is in the process of launching a Sparkling Lemonade and Orangeade line in one-litre proprietary glass bottles, as well as a Soy Smoothie line in aseptic packaging. The launch of its E20 Energy Water line was limited due to production problems, which have now been overcome, and E20 Energy Water is now being actively introduced. The launch of Medicine Man during 2001 was disappointing, and the future of that line is currently being evaluated. The Healthy Start/Silver Foxes juice lines are being discontinued, he confirmed.
The Junior Juice line has been successfully integrated into operations since its acquisition at the end of May and contributed positively to results, he concluded.