Cider maker Aston Manor has posted a record sixth successive year of growth with sales topping £120 million.
The brewer, which owns the Frosty Jack’s, Knights and Kingstone Press brands, also reported that turnover climbed by 13 per cent to £120.2 million in the year to December 2012.
The majority of the increase was from the domestic market which generated £115.9 million, compared with £101.7 million a year earlier. European sales dipped slightly to £3.2 million but global revenues rose to £1.1 million.
A directors statement said: “2012 has also been a year of real progress for our organisation as a whole; we have invested significantly to increase our capability in strategic selling, strategic procurement, demand and capacity planning, and organisational design.
“Aston Manor also continued to make significant capital investment throughout the year, particularly in relation to developing the capability of our factory in Tiverton, Devon.”
The company said it had continued its major investment of working capital. A new site has been purchased in Stourport which is designated to become a state-of-the-art fruit mill.
Aston Manor also sealed a contract with Hereford fruit growers to produce apples from 1,000 acres of orchards on 25-year contracts. “It marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for us, as well as our continued support for UK farmers,” the company statement added.
Former Magners UK managing director Gordon Johncox has taken over a similar role at Aston Manor from Peter Ellis, who is now executive chairman.
