Bangkok, February 28, 2008 - Thai Beverage Public Company Limited, Thailand's leading alcoholic beverage producer, announced a net profit of 10.383 billion baht in 2007 - a 328-million-baht, or 3.3%, increase.
ThaiBev further announced that the 2007 sales revenue increased by 2.743 billion baht, or 2.8%, to 100.541 billion baht over the 2006 figure. The announcement added that ThaiBev will pay a dividend of 70 per cent of net profit, or 0.29 baht per share equal to a total of 7.282 billion baht, to shareholders. This includes an interim dividend paid in the first half of the year.
Mr. Thapana Sirivadhanabhakdi, President of Thai Beverage PLC, said that he was pleased with the result after a very tough year in which competition remained very intense amid an economic slowdown and political uncertainty.
"Most of the growth came from the continued improvement of our brown spirits business," explained Mr. Thapana, "Many Thais were affected by the economic downturn and tax rises in 2007 to the extent they switched from imported brown spirits to locally produced brown spirits."
Sales revenue for beer continued to grow, reaching 47.557 billion baht, a rise of 3.2%. Low-alcohol beer led the rise by selling 312.6 million liters, 210.7 million liters more than in 2006.
ThaiBev continued to improve its product portfolio and diversified into other products throughout 2007 and into 2008. The Company acquired United Products Company Limited in 2007, which added not only a white spirits brand called White Bear to the portfolio but also a non-alcohol line of products such as fruit juices.
More recently, the Company acquired energy drinks and ready-to-drink coffee when it purchased the assets of Wrangyer Company Limited. These businesses will benefit from ThaiBev’s nationwide distribution network, which is being improved with the construction of five massive regional distribution centers.