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Published on February 29, 2008

Its net profit for 2007 stood at Bt10.38 billion, up 3.3 per cent or Bt328 million from the previous year.

President Thapana Sirivadhanabhakdi said in a statement that he was pleased with the result after a very tough year in which competition remained very intense amid the economic slowdown and political uncertainty.

"Most of the growth came from the continued improvement of our dark-spirits business," Thapana said,

"Many people were affected by the economic downturn and tax increases last year to the extent they switched from imported dark spirits to locally produced ones."

Sales revenue for beer continued to grow, reaching Bt47.6 billion, a 3.2-per-cent rise. Low-alcohol beer led the surge, with 312.6 million litres sold, 210.7 million litres more than in 2006.

Last year, ThaiBev continued to improve its product portfolio and diversify into other products. It plans to continue this strategy during this year. The company acquired United Products in 2007, which added not only a white-spirits brand called White Bear to its stable but also a non-alcoholic line .

More recently, the company entered the energy drinks and ready-to-drink coffee sectors when it acquired Wrangyer.

The Nation