just the facts - AS Liviko

Here are five facts on Estonian drinks firm AS Liviko.

1. AS Liviko was created more than a hundred years ago as a local distillery and has, over time developed into an alcohol producer. Around one third of Liviko's production is marketed in 15 different export markets worldwide and its most well-known brands are Viru Valge vodka and Vana Tallinn liqueur. The drinks firms' 100% shareholder is NG Investeeringud OÜ, an Estonian investment company.
   
2. The year 1971 was an important milestone in the history of Liviko, when the Liviko Production Association was established from Tallinn Liqueur and Viinatehas and a number of smaller spirit factories. Liviko claims to be the oldest manufacturer of alcoholic beverages in Estonia.
   
3. In recent years Liviko has gone through a change in its profile besides the production of high-quality strong alcoholic beverages. In addition to entering the market segment of low-alcohol beverages, one of the most important steps in Liviko's recent history has been the creation of its own import portfolio. The sales volumes of the company's import assortment consists of more than 250 products, a portfolio that is continuing to increase. Wines imported by Liviko under the trademark of Nautimus is one of its key products.
   
4. In September, AS Liviko completed a production investment which will see the company look to begin exporting to Japan. The Estonian drinks firm invested EKK20m (US$1.9m) in its new low-alcohol beverage production line. With an output of 10m litres per year, the packaging line will be used for Liviko's Starter energy drinks, Viru Valge coolers, lime and cola drinks from the Caribba line, and drinks for Japan. Besides the other Baltic states, the company currently exports to Russia, Ukraine, Finland and the US. Last year, exports for the company totalled 3m litres of alcohol, representing a quarter of its output.
   
5. The final fact surrounds Liviko's fate in the World Wars. In the Second World War, in particular, the company survived both Nazi and Soviet occupation of Tallinn, as well as bombardment of the city by both sides at different points in the war. In one incident, a bomb fell through the distillery roof and landed in a vat of pure alcohol. Fortunately, it did not explode.