Lester Tan Teck Chuan appointed SABECO general director

Lester Tan will spearhead the second phase of SABECO's transformation, focusing on sustainable growth and further cementing its position both domestically and internationally

Lester Tan, a Singaporean national, brings to SABECO a wealth of experience, boasting over 28 years of expertise in the beer, spirits, and beverage industry across various Asian markets, including Thailand, Myanmar, Mongolia, and Singapore.

Throughout his career, Tan has consistently catalysed positive changes and fuelled business growth within the organisations he has led.

"Over the past five years, SABECO has made significant strides in enhancing its business capabilities, streamlining processes, and executing transformative initiatives. To continue this remarkable transformation journey, the company requires fresh ideas, innovative perspectives, and renewed vigor. We believe the new leadership will spearhead transformative business strategies and guide this centuries-old company to greater heights," the company said.

In 2018, SABECO embarked on a transformation journey, guided by seven strategic pillars, with the aim of becoming a globally competitive company. The year 2021 marked the culmination of the first phase of SABECO's transformation, punctuated by significant milestones.

This achievement has set the stage for the company's second transformation phase, characterized by six key pillars: Sales, Brand/Marketing, Production, Supply Chain, People, and Unlock – all supported by the SABECO 4.0 project and other governance initiatives.

SABECO's commitment to growth and sustainable development has been evident over the years, as it adapted to changing consumer preferences by re-launching its iconic Bia Saigon range in 2019, and introducing new product lines such as Bia Saigon Gold, Bia Saigon Chill , Bia Lac Viet and limited edition beers.

In 2022 to 2023, SABECO expanded the capacity of the Bia Sai Gon Quang Ngai Brewery to 250 million litres per year, undertook a rooftop solar power installation project across 17 breweries, and initiated an extensive warehouse and logistics project with a 31,000 square meter area and storage capacity for 30,000 pallets. These efforts are designed to optimise storage, preserve goods, and ensure timely supply to meet market demands.

While 2023 has been challenging for the entire industry, SABECO's financial performance in 2022 is a testament to its strong foundations, marking a remarkable increase of 32 per cent for net revenue and 40 per cent for profit after tax compared to 2021, respectively.

These figures represent the highest profit after tax in the company's history. Additionally, as of August 2023, Bia Saigon retains its market-leading position in terms of product consumption, as confirmed by research conducted by NielsenIQ Vietnam.

As the newly appointed general director, Lester Tan will spearhead the second phase of SABECO's transformation, focusing on sustainable growth and further cementing its position both domestically and internationally, aligning with the group's vision for 2025 to strengthen its leadership in the Southeast Asia region.

"Having had the opportunity to engage with SABECO's team, customers, and consumers, I am excited about the opportunities ahead of us. I am honoured to collaborate with SABECO's leaders and colleagues to drive sustainable growth for the company, deliver enhanced value to our shareholders, and continue creating a positive socioeconomic impact in the communities where we operate, and for Vietnam," Tan said.

Before assuming his role at SABECO, Tan served as the Chief of Beer at ThaiBev PLC, overseeing Thailand's beer market from 2020 to 2023.

He also held CEO positions in beer and beverage businesses in Mongolia, Myanmar, and Thailand.

With 148 years of brewing history, Saigon Beer – Alcohol – Beverage Corporation (“SABECO”) has established itself as one of Vietnam’s top companies.

SABECO includes 26 breweries and 11 trading subsidiaries and has a distribution network consisting of hundred thousand retailers nationwide.

SABECO is proud to offer a brand portfolio that consists of some of the most well-loved beer brands in Vietnam, including Bia Lac Viet, Bia Saigon Chill, Bia 333, Bia Saigon Special, Bia Saigon Export, Bia Saigon Lager and Bia Saigon Gold.

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