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history of the company

The history of the company Kofola dates back to 1993, when the family of Greek native Kostas Samaras purchased part of the state-owned soft-drinks producer Nealko Olomouc in Krnov, in the Bruntal region, and began production of common carbonated beverages under the name SP Vrachos s.r.o. After three years of necessary modernization, strengthening of logistics and the quality-management system, and building a network of business partners, the enterprise was economically and organizationally well-prepared for transformation into a joint-stock company.

In 1996, the operations of SP Vrachos s.r.o. were transferred to the newly established company SANTA NÁPOJE Krnov a.s. This year is also considered the year in which Kofola officially came into being , as it is known today, even though it was then under a different name. Expansion of the production program with the bottling of syrups in returnable glass bottles followed. The newly established company soon began to shape up as a leading Czech producer and distributor of non-alcoholic beverages, syrups and concentrates.

In 1997, production of carbonated beverages in two-liter packaging under the brand JOE'S was begun on a new production line. On the basis of an evaluation of the company's strategic development, the Krnov production plant was relocated to a purchased site with the possibility of expansion of production and logistics spaces. Also in 1997, the subsidiary transport company SANTA – TRANS s.r.o. was established.

In 1998, the new brand Luna was introduced for two-liter carbonated beverages and syrups; the packaging format was expanded with PET bottles , specifically for syrups and beverages; and the company entered the market of private brands for retail chains. 1998 was also a year of technological developement (PET syrup bottling line + a second PET-bottle blow-molding machine), and the company entered the Slovak market by establishing the subsidiary distribution company SANTA NÁPOJE SLOVAKIA spol. s r.o.

The new Jupí brand of syrups and carbonated beverages first saw the light of day in 1999. The Jupí line of products soon grew with the addition of the non-carbonated Jupí Juice Drink . Among the company's milestones of 1999 were the launching into operation of the new, automated Sidel 1 bottling line and the establishment of the subsidiary logistics company SANTA logistic s.r.o.

In 2000 the company first joined its production program with the Kofola beverage, when the Opava-based pharmaceutical company Ivax, the then owner of the brand, concluded a licensing agreement on its bottling. In addition to this, the new, automated Sidel 2 bottling line was put into operation.

Among the most significant decisions of 2001 were undoubtedly the purchase of the registered trademark Top Topic and the reintroduction of this traditional beverage containing grape juice to the Czech and Slovak market. Another contribution to the market in 2001 was the addition of Jupík fruit drink for children to the Jupí line. Conversely, the production of Joe's soft drinks was discontinued. In this same year, the company entered the HORECA sales segment and began construction of a production plant in Rajecká Lesná, Slovakia . The high-quality source of water in Rajec Valley was a decisive factor in the selection of the location.

2002 was a year of expansion , strategic investments and organizational changes. Foremost were the establishment of the subsidiary SANTA DRINKS a.s. in Slovakia and the transfer of all commercial activities of SANTA NÁPOJE SLOVAKIA spol. s r.o. to the newly established company. In July 2002, production of part of the company's product line commenced in the newly built production plant in Rajecká Lesná. A true milestone, not only in 2002 but in the company´s whole history, was the purchase in June of the registered trademark and the original recipe of the traditional beverage Kofola from Ivax for CZK 215 million. In November, the trade name of the company in the Czech Republic and its subsidiary in Slovakia was changed to Kofola, a.s. Over the course of the entire year, the company also substantially invested in sales equipment within the HORECA segment, i.e. refrigerators and taps.

In 2003, the low-calorie Fit version of the Top Topic grape beverage was introduced to the market along with Snipp brand nectars and juices for the HORECA sector. Kofola, a. s. increased the basic capital in its subsidiaries, namely in SANTA – TRANS, s.r.o. from CZK 167 thousand to CZK 8,000 thousand, i.e. to a 99.5% share in the company's basic capital; and in Kofola, a.s. Slovakia from SKK 5,000 thousand to SKK 17,000 thousand, i.e. to a 100% share in the company's basic capital. In June, a subsidiary under the trade name Kofola Sp. z o.o. was established in Poland . Also in 2003, Kofola earned certification of its system of quality according to ČSN EN ISO 9001:2000 standards. The project had begun in January and by November the company had already received its certificate.

Kofola capped its planned expansion into the Visegrad Four (V4) countries with the establishment of the subsidiary Kofola Rt. in Hungary in October 2004. Following the Czech Republic and Slovakia plants, construction of a new production plant began in Kutno, Poland. In addition to this, the company increased its share in the basic capital of its subsidiary SANTA – TRANS, s.r.o. from 99.5% to 100%, and commenced construction of new warehousing spaces and renewal of its vehicle fleet. Innovations in existing products became new items in the product portfolio: Top Topic Vital and Kofola Citrus . Snipp appeared in one-liter PET bottles. New in every regard was the entry into the segment and market of bottled waters with the introduction of Rajec spring water.

Spring 2005 saw the completion and grand opening of the new production plant in Poland , which represents the largest Czech investment in that country to date. In addition to this, Kofola's position as a significat supplier of non-alcoholic beverages to Hungary was strengthened considerably. The company's product portfolio was expanded with the addition of two more traditional brands when Chito Tonic was re-introduced to the Czech and Slovak market and the company became the exclusive producer and distributor of Capri-Sonne in the same region. Also in 2005, Kofola was the winner of the “Mobile Firm of the Year 2005” survey organized by Intel and the IDG Czech publishing house with the goal of determining how advanced Czech companies are in using modern mobile and wireless technologies.

In the first half of 2006, two relocations took place within the Kofola group. These involved the relocation of the holding company from Krnov to Ostrava and, for purely practical reasons, the transfer to Prague of the Czech marketing and business operations together with part of the holding company's marketing. On 1 November, the holding company split off as a company with its own legal identity and the name Kofola Holding a.s.; the other November news item is the purchase of the Czech beverage company Klimo , s.r.o. New television commercials for Kofola and Rajec where successful among viewers, while distribution of Shark and Isostar products was discontinued. The “nudist beach” television spot for Kofola and a series of print advertisements for the Jupík children's drink were awarded “Rainbow Marbles” – prizes for the best advertising aimed at children and youths awarded annually at the film festival in Zlín. In the past several years, advertisements for Kofola, including the “nude beach” TV spot, have received recognition, most notably by being awarded the Gold Effie 2006 – a prestigious prize for the the most effective advertising - in the fast-moving goods category. In addition to this, Kofola can look forward to yet another success, the Gold Ducat 2006 , which recognizes the best supplier in the Czech Republic and is organized by Modern Business magazine in cooperation with a panel of experts. At the 12th annual nationwide competition Packaging of the Year 2006 , the children’s drink Jupík was awarded in the category ‘Labels, seals and other packaging aids’. A series of 100% natural juices and Jupí fruit drinks were introduced to the market.

In January 2007 Kofola a.s. shareholders bought a majority share in the company Green – Swan Pharmaceuticals ČR, a.s., one of the most important Czech producers and distributors of food supplements. In February of this year, consumers were presented with a new product Rajec Bylinka – natural spring water enriched with herbal extracts from balm and thyme. The popular drink Kofola received a new design following a four-year wait. Also this month saw a contract signed for a four-year sponsorship deal to become official partners of the Czech Athletic Federation. In March the shareholders of Kofola Holding a.s. and the third-largest Polish drinks group, Hoop S.A., entered into an intila agreement to merge both companies. The following month, in its first year of participation, our company was awarded 8th place on the top 100 chart of the Most Admired Czech Companies. Jupík, the most popular brand of all children’s products, underwent its long-awaited radical innovation. In May, Kofola the company introduced its original Kofola product to the Hungarian market.The Jupí juices and the Jupík drink have been awarded the ‘Discovery of the Year’ prize in Poland. The Kofola Company also won the ‘Consumer Laurels’ award. The TV advert for Kofola Original, entitled ‘Nuda’ (Boredom), won the Golden Grapes award at the Znojemský hrozen Festival. In October we expanded our product range with the new Rajec Bylinka, containing extracts of dandelion and sage. Kofola gained 174th place in the prestigious Europe’s 500 Scoreboard chart published by the magazine BusinessWeek. In Warsaw at the end of October a press conference was held concerning the merger of the Kofola Group and Hoop S.A. KSM Investment S.A., based in Luxemburg, as the owner of Kofola, and the company Hoop S.A. based in Warsaw, agreed the final terms for the merger of both companies. In November of the same year our company finished operating its production plant in Klatovy.

In February 2008 we bought the Vinea trademark. Kofola has newly become available in a sugar-free version. The electronic Christmas card, which formed part of Kofola’s Christmas campaign, won silver at the Louskáček advertising awards.