9,000,000 nine-liter cases produced so far this year
Today, Thursday, December 15 at 10:30 am, a historic record was set at the V&S Absolut Spirits plant in Åhus. The nine-millionth case of ABSOLUT VODKA was produced, which is the equivalent of 81 million liters of vodka. This is the first time since the beginning in 1979 that so many cases of ABSOLUT VODKA and Level have been produced in a single year. To commemorate the record, a special case has been designed and decorated with silver text.
“Nine million nine-liter cases in one year is a milestone and marks another successful year for V&S Absolut Spirits. Never before have so many cases been produced in Åhus in a single year, which proves how much ABSOLUT is appreciated by consumers around the world. In 2005 we have produced as much as during our first nine years put together,” says Krister Asplund, Vice President of Manufacturing at V&S Absolut Spirits in Åhus.
The commemorative case will be shipped to the US on Friday morning, though it is unknown exactly where it will end up.
All ABSOLUT VODKA and Level is produced in Åhus from winter wheat from the southern region of Sweden and water from V&S Absolut Spirits’ own well. This guarantees a high and consistent quality and ensures that ABSOLUT VODKA and Level always taste the same, regardless of where in the world they are enjoyed. In a year, V&S Absolut Spirits uses 80,000 tons of winter wheat from farms near Åhus to make its products.
To meet the increasing demand, V&S Group has invested 680 million Swedish kronor to expand its facilities in Åhus and Nöbbelöv. Earlier this year, V&S Absolut Spirits inaugurated its new distillery in Nöbbelöv, and in May it broke ground for its new bottling plant in Åhus, which is due to be completed in 2007.
Facts
10,000 nine-liter cases of ABSOLUT VODKA were produced in 1979.
8.5 million nine-liter cases of ABSOLUT VODKA were shipped in 2004.
A total of 111 million nine-liter cases have been produced since 1979.
Stacked on top of one another, the 9 million nine-liter cases produced this year would form a tower 18,280 kilometers high.
Lined up next to one another, the 81 million one-liter bottles produced in 2005 would reach 7290 kilometers.
Nine-liter cases are a standard in the alcohol industry. This is the term commonly used in international comparisons.
Pictures of the nine-millionth case are available at "PICTURES"
For more information, please contact:
Kristina Hagbard, press contact, V&S Absolut Spirits, ,
+46-8-744 71 88 or +46-70 572 71 88
Marika Hjelm Siegwald, Director Corporate Communication, V&S Absolut Spirits, , +46-8-744 74 02 or +46-70 377 74 02.