ThaiBev cashesin on lighter beers
Thai Beverage, the country's leading alcoholic-drink company, saw sales rise to almost Bt100 billion last year, due mainly to increased sales of beer in the low-alcohol segment.
Meanwhile, liquor sales dropped by about 2.6 per cent due to heavy flooding in the country's 49 provinces during the third and fourth quarters, affecting consumers in rural areas. As a result, although sales revenues were reported to be Bt97.798 billion, up from Bt94.903 billion in 2005, the consolidated net profit declined 2.7 per cent to Bt10.055 billion, from Bt10.337 billion in 2005. In the statement, ThaiBev said last year's increase in sales was attributed to Archa Beer and the newly launched Chang Light and Chang Draught. "We are satisfied that the business is continuing to perform consistently, despite the impact of unusually widespread flooding, high molasses prices, changes to the government and uncertainty about domestic economic, political and commercial issues," Thapana Sirivadhanabhakdi, ThaiBev executive vice president, said yesterday. ThaiBev in the first quarter reintroduced a brand called Hong Thong, which proved a success with consumers, with sales rising to 4.8 million litres in nine months. Blend 285, another new favourite launched in October, was already selling 1.7 million litres by the end of the year. Thapana said that sales of beer, with volume rising 12 per cent in one year, was an exciting sign that the company had made the right move by launching its low-alcohol beer brands: Archa, Chang Light and Chang Draught. "While our entire beer volume grew 12 per cent year on year, low-alcohol beer, led by Archa, rose 794 per cent, from 11 million litres in 2005 to 102 million litres in 2006," said Thapana. "Beer sales rose 10.3 per cent." ThaiBev is the leading producer of beer and spirits in the Kingdom and one of the leading brewers and distillers in Southeast Asia. It has 30 brands. Its signature brew, Chang Beer, is the best-selling beer in Thailand and its recognised spirits brands include Sang- Som, Mekhong and Mungkorn Thong. The group owns three state-of-the-art breweries with a total installed capacity of 10.9 million hectolitres, plus 16 well-equipped distilleries with a capacity of 87.77 million cases.
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