Coopers makes waves in a flat beer market

In the dark days of the 1992–93 recession, South Australian based Coopers sold just 10.8 million litres of beer, “our lowest level since 1985”, says Managing Director, Dr Tim Cooper.

But the company exploded out of the recession, averaging 9.8 per cent annual growth for the next 20 years. Dr Cooper says the company sold 69.7 million litres of beer in 2012–13, “accounting for around 4.5 per cent of the total Australian beer market”. He expects to gain more market share in coming years.

Despite the introduction of lagers in recent years, and contract brewing of Sapporo and Carlsberg beers, Coopers success continues to rely largely on its traditional ales.

These, including Pale Ale, Sparkling Ale, Mild Ale and Stout make up around 80 per cent of production, says Dr Cooper.

Copyright Chris Shanahan 2013
First published 28 August 2013 in the Canberra Times