Solid revenue growth for Lavazza in 2018 | Progresiv
Lavazza coffee producer ended 2018 with revenues of 1.87 billion euros, up by 9.3% over the previous year, while net profit reached an advance of 12.9%, to 89, 7 million euros, according to company data. 
"2018 was a year of growth due to increased operational profit, brand consolidation and massive expansion both in Italy and in foreign markets, especially in France, North America, Eastern Europe and Great Britain”, said Antonio Baravalle, CEO of the Lavazza Group.
The increase reported last year is due both to the integration of the 2017 acquired companies (Nims, Kicking Horse and ESP) and to the good performance of organic products, especially in the markets of Italy, France, North America, Eastern Europe and the Great Britain. In Italy, which accounts for 36% of total revenues, the Lavazza Group has maintained its leadership position on all channels due to the expansion of the disposable product range, which continues to be the most dynamic of retail, but also due to the commercial operations of the out-of-home segment.
In line with its global development strategy, Lavazza acquired two other automated distribution companies last year. In July 2018, the producer acquired Blue Pod Coffee Co., an Australian company specializing in Lavazza espresso distribution for the Office Coffee Service sector, and in December completed the acquisition of the Mars coffee division in North America, Germany, Great Britain, France, Canada and Japan, as well as associated production units in Great Britain and the United States.
Established in Turin in 1895, Lavazza is owned by four generations by the Lavazza family. The group currently operates in over 90 countries, with 64% of revenue generated by foreign markets and about 4,000 employees. In Romania, Lavazza is distributed by Coca-Cola HBC since 2017. According to Jovan Radosavljevic, General Director of Coca-Cola HBC Romania, the first year of Lavazza's distribution looks good: "Sales in this category are constantly growing due to our strong distribution system. We had an ambitious target on coffee, and I think we're going to exceed the sales target in 2019".
