Sabeco Brewery

Sabeco (also SABECO, Saigon Beer-Alcohol-Beverage Joint Stock Corporation, Vietnamese: Tổng Công ty Cổ phần Bia – Rượu – Nước giải khát Sài Gòn) is Vietnam's leading beer producer.^[3] It is owned and under the authority of Vietnam's Ministry of Trade and Industry.^[4] In 2011, Sabeco produced 1.2 billion liters of beer, 51.4% of the national market.^[3] Its main brands are Saigon Beer and 333 Beer.

Saigon Beer for export, as seen in Helsinki, Finland.

Sabeco has several regional subsidiaries throughout Vietnam.^[2]

Ownership

Vietnam's Ministry of Trade and Industry owns almost 89.59% of Sabeco as of September 2012,^[5] as well a majority of shares of the competitor Habeco.^[3] The Ministry's leadership announced in July 2012 that it does not yet intend to cease controlling the company.^[6] Nguyễn Bá Thi, former chairman of the Managing Board who was fired by the Ministry in May 2012,^[1] said that the Ministry has been interfering too much in the company.^[5] The current management also complains about unclear rules that restrict the company.^[5]

Sabeco had an initial public offering in 2008.^[5]

As of September 2012 there were five international companies that were interested in investing in Sabeco.^[5] Heineken, SAB Miller, Kirin and Asahi have indicated interest in becoming a stakeholder or strategic partner.^{[7] [8]}

Market share and competition

Saigon beer, a product of Sabeco

Sabeco's market share was 51.4% in 2010.^[3] Its main competitors are Habeco (also owned by the Ministry of Industry and Trade) (13.9%) and Vietnam Brewery Limited (VBL, 29.7%), a joint-venture of Singapore's Asia Pacific Breweries and Saigon Trading Group (Satra), which brews and sells Heineken, Tiger Beer and Bière Larue in Vietnam.^[3]

Vietnam War Era

Ba Muoi Ba Biere ("33" Beer) was a popular local brand during the war. It was the precursor to "333" Biere. "33" Biere Export is made by BGI Tien Giang.

References