PARIS — France’s Ales Groupe posted first-quarter 2004 sales of $50.9 million at current exchange rates, or 42.2 million euros, up 10.2 percent year-on-year. The firm, whose brands include Lierac, Phyto and Caron, registered sales in 2003 of $158.6 million, or 131.4 million euros, a 0.1 percent rise versus 2002. At constant exchange rates, Ales Groupe’s sales would have grown 2.9 percent. The company’s profits last year increased 6.5 percent to $9.1 million, or 7.5 million euros. Ales Groupe’s turnout was affected by the weak dollar and a reduction of its Korean distributor’s activity, the firm said.
— Brid Costello