Acquisitions boost Carlsberg profits

Carlsberg's half year profits have been boosted by acquisitions and strong growth in its core European markets.

Carlsberg net profit rose 13.3% to £57.46 million (€87.7 million) for the six months ended June 30.

The company says its acquisitions of Polish companies Bosman Browar Szczecin and Kasztelan Browar Sierpc have been successfully implemented.

It says its decision to buy Turkey's Turk Tuborg has also paid off.

Combined like-for-like sales for the group rose 8% to £1.44 billion (€2.2 billion).

Carlsberg, founded in 1847, produces the Carlsberg and Tuborg brands and has undergone massive restructuring in recent years to focus on its core beer business.

It has 27,000 employees in 100 subsidiaries and associated companies around the world.

It also has close ownership ties with Norwegian conglomerate Orkla.