Arca Continental posted its Q3 numbers late last week

Arca Continental has posted continued healthy gains in its year so far, with sales from its South American division performing particularly well in the third quarter.

The company, which is Latin America's second-largest Coca-Cola bottler, said late last week that net profits in the nine months to the end of September leapt by 41.2% to MXN3.97bn (US$301m). Operating profits in the period also performed well, jumping by 48.2% to MXN6.49bn, as net sales also rose markedly, by 35.8% to MXN41.77bn.

Arca Continental, which was formed in June last year through the merger of Embotelladoras Arca and Grupo Continental, noted that the year-so-far numbers were compiled as if Continental had been part of Arca Continental during the first nine months of 2011.

The nine-month figures showed a slight slowdown on Arca Continental's H1 numbers, released in July.

In the company's third quarter, net profits rose by 11.8% to MXN1.50bn on the back of a 9.2% lift in sales, which totalled MXN14.63bn. Operating profits in the three months to the end of September increased by 22.9% to MXN2.45bn.

Arca Continental highlighted a marked lift in sales in South America in Q3, rising by 21.1% to MXN3.21bn. Sales in the company's Mexican heartland were up by 6.3% in the quarter, with sales volumes inching up by 1.6%.

The firm also said in its results statement that Emilio Marcos Charur assumed the role of CFO at the beginning of October. Charur was previously director of operations for Arca Continental's Mexico beverage division.

To read the company's official statement, click here.