Mackmyra returns to growth in 2015

Swedish single malt whisky producer Mackmyra Svensk Whisky has rebounded from steep declines to post 19% sales growth for its full 2015 fiscal year.

MACK by Mackmyra has been a star performer for the Swedish whisky producer

Sales excluding alcohol tax for 2015 soared by 19% to SEK62.1 million (about €6.62 million/US$7.26 million). Gross profits hit SEK21.5 million (€2.29 million/US$2.5 million).

Mackmyra attributes the increase to “a clear increase in both bottles and casks”, with bottles sales hitting SEK37.5 million (€4.0 million/US$4.38million) for the year. Other sales, including those from casks and ‘Experiences’ reached SEK24.3 million (€2.59 million/US$2.84 million). An “important success factor” for the sector was the “positive trend” of the mountaintop Customer’ Cask whisky warehouse and Skybar, situated Lofsdalen, a ski resort.

Sales to “prioritised” foreign markets more than doubled, increased by SEK 3.7 million (€394,900/US$432,800) to approximately SEK 7.0 million (€747,200/US$818,900) in 2015. Germany alone accounted for 19% of all bottle sales in 2015.

Sales of the company’s private brand product range, including Motörhead Whisky, represents SEK 2.5 million (€266,800/US$292,470) of the year’s SEK10 million (€1.06 million/US$1.17 million) sales increase.

Other significant developments for the year include the progress of MACK by Mackmyra, which will be listed by Systembolaget, Sweden’s network of government-owned liquor stores, from March 2016. The move follows “high sales volumes” in the retailer’s to-order product range.

In total, Mackmyra sold 214,000 bottles in 2015, a record figure for the company.

“The growth we demonstrated in 2015 is a result of our strategy within the following areas: our prioritised export markets, France, Germany, Belgium and United Kingdom; Private Brand, exclusive bottling in cooperation with or on behalf of others; [and] MACK, our new single malt whisky for the wide demographic of those who like whisky in a lower price segment,” said Magnus Dandanell, Mackmyra Svensk Whisky managing director, in the financial statement.

“We are doubling sales for the second year in a row on our prioritised export markets, which currently represent 20% of our bottle sales. Germany is the engine that has demonstrated very good growth during the year. In addition to the interest for such craft distillers increasing considerably in Europe, the growth can be explained by Mackmyra’s wide and innovative offers attracting the growing number of whisky enthusiasts located in Europe.”

In April 2015, Mackmyra announced it was proposing a rights issue to raise funds to accelerate its distribution and distillation growth plans.

The Mackmyra Whisky Warehouse and Skybar in Lofsdalen