The Royal Cliff Wine Club Welcomes Domaines Schlumberger

On Thursday, 29th January 2010, the Royal Cliff Wine Club, Asia’s leading wine club, hosted its first event of the year - a spectacular gala dinner which took place at the Grill Room & Wine Cellar in the Royal Cliff Beach Hotel. The special evening saw the visit of one of Europe’s finest and most respected wine producers in Domaines Schlumberger from Alsace, France.


Established over 200 years ago, Domaines Schlumberger boasts the most hectares of ‘Grand Cru’ vineyards in Alsace and acknowledged as ‘one of the 100 greatest wine estates of the world’ by renowned wine critic Robert Parker.

The sold out event which was co-sponsored by Canpac Beverages Co. ltd had the privilege of having Mr. Alain Beydon-Schlumberger, the President of Domaines Schlumberger himself as guest speaker.

6 varietals of exclusive wines from this internationally distinguished winery were featured on this special evening, which perfectly complimented the specially designed gourmet menu by Chef Walter Thenisch, the executive Chef of the acclaimed Royal Cliff Beach Resort.

Mr. Ranjith Chandrasiri, Deputy General Manager of the acclaimed resort and President of the Royal Cliff Wine Club proudly exclaimed in his speech, his absolute pleasure and delight for Asia’s leading wine club in being able to host such a well respected winery – every single guest in attendance could not have agreed more.

The Royal Cliff Wine Club of the world-famous Royal Cliff Beach Resort in Jomtien-Pattaya was launched in 2001 and is a result of the resort’s enthusiasm in promoting the finest wines and hosting wine-related events. The club is open to a limited number of new memberships. For applications or enquiries, email to: wineclub@royalcliff.com
Photo Caption :

Paitoon Ritdej, Food & Beverage Director, Walter Thenisch, Executive Chef, Alain Beydon-Schlumberger, President, Domaines Schlumberger, Ekachai Mahaguna, General Manager, Canpac Beverages Co Ltd, Ranjith Chandrasiri, President, Royal Cliff Wine Club and Deputy General Manager, Royal Cliff Beach Resort, Vichai Poo-alai, Restaurant Manager Grill Room & Wine Cellar.

Be My Valentine at V9 Wine Bar and Restaurant, Sofitel Bangkok Silom

On 14th February 2010, V9 Wine Bar and Restaurant invites you and your Valentine to savor a romantic candle-lit Valentine’s dinner in a truly lovely setting. Valentine’s couples can enjoy the panoramic view of Bangkok’s skyline and ChaoPhraya River from 37th Floor of Sofitel Bangkok Silom, where “Life is Magnifique!”. Relax to the cool sounds selected by V9 DJs, ranging from Jazz, Lounge, Latin, to funky sounds and house or sit at the long bar with one of our famous cocktails.


Set dinner costs THB 3,000 net per couple (food only) or THB 5,800 net per couple (food with wine).

Complete your romantic Valentine’s dinner with one of our very special Wine Flights or experience a wide range of wines by the glass from the new Sofitel ‘Voyage du Vin’ list.

Don’t forget to drop by into our extensive Wine Cellar with 150 imported wines from countries all over the world, where our sommelier will help you select the perfect bottle to compliment your dinner or to take home. As usual, wines by the bottles are always available at retail prices.

Special: Surprise your Valentine with an overnight stay in a Luxury Club Sofitel room including a romantic room-service breakfast for only THB 4,253++ (Must be booked together with Valentine’s dinner at V9 and valid for the night of 13th or 14th February 2010 only).

Thailand takes part in ‘Drink Savvy’ regional CSR campaign

CSR campaign kicks off first ‘I Drink Savvy’ contest

Invites consumers in 12 countries in Asia Pacific to submit a video clip or photo with a message on responsible drinking


Entry with the most creative ‘drink-savvy’ idea wins a 10-day trip for two to Australia including travel expenses

Campaign is the first of its kind for consumers in Asia Pacific to learn about, value and enjoy drinking responsibly
Closing date for photos and video clips entries is 31 March 2010

Thailand is one of the 12 countries selected for the regional roll out of the ‘Drink Savvy’ campaign launched by Asia Pacific Breweries (APB). A dedicated online website (www.drink-savvy.com), created for this unique CSR (corporate social responsibility) campaign, serves to promote and educate consumers on responsible drinking.

Mr. Roland Pirmez, APB’s chief executive officer, said, “To be savvy is to understand and comprehend. Thus, to drink savvy means to understand alcohol and how it affects us. More importantly, it is about making well-informed and responsible decisions about drinking.”

Interested parties in Thailand are invited to visit the website to learn more about responsible drinking practices. It is the first website of its kind that actively involves various stakeholders to learn about, value and enjoy drinking responsibly.

"We want to do more than merely educate stakeholders, provide practical information about alcohol and describe how we can use it responsibly," added Mr. Pirmez.

In addition, the campaign is tapping on the power of social media, namely Facebook, Twitter, Orkut, and Kai Xin Wang as well as major bloggers to reach out to the public and build a community of followers to support the ‘drink savvy’ cause and remember the good times together.

Its first major initiative under the campaign is the ‘I Drink Savvy’ competition, inviting contestants in the region to capture and submit home videos, voice recordings or photos that support the ‘drink savvy’ theme. The online competition is open to participants in 12 countries in Asia Pacific including Thailand, China, India, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, and Papua New Guinea. The closing date for entries submission is 31 March 2010.

The most creative ‘drink-savvy’ entry entitles the winner to a 10-day trip for two to Australia to see the best of Sydney combined with the scenic Whitsunday Islands and cosmopolitan Cairns. The package is inclusive of travel expenses.

“By bringing about awareness, engagement and active participation in a fun way, we hope to generate a multiplier effect and widen our circumference of influence to have more consumers learn, appreciate, practise and support responsible drinking,” commented Mr. Pirmez.

In Thailand, Thai Asia Pacific Brewery (TAPB), APB’s operating company in Thailand, has conducted several CSR initatives on drinking responsibly. The ‘Drink Don’t Drive 1555’ campaign – aimed at reducing the number of traffic accidents – implemented with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and partners, encourages people who drink to refrain from driving, and to call the 1555 hotline to request for a taxi pick-up or a ‘volunteer driver’ service.

The drink-savvy.com features bite-size factoids about alcohol and its effects on the body through the section, ‘Alcohol Savvy’ as well as practical advice on drinking responsibly via ‘Savvy Tips’.

Refreshing of the Year 2010

Le Concorde Bangkok

Crossroads Bar of Swissotel Le Concorde Bangkok presents 2 styles of refreshing are cocktail “Banana Chi Chi” from mixtures of Bacardi Light Rum, Creme De Banana, Coconut Milk, Lemon Juice, Banana and mocktail “Berry Kiss”, the combinations of Strawberry, Kiwi, Orange Juice, Limon Juice and Syrup at only Baht 169++, through the month of January and February 2010.

Crossroads Bar is located at Swissotel Le Concorde Bangkok’s lobby, opens daily from 10.00 a.m. – 1.00 p.m.

Coca-Cola Zero offers fans Black Carpet treatment in partnership with year’s biggest film release – James Cameron’s AVATAR

- New initiative offers Thai fans a trip to AVATAR special effects studio in New Zealand or free admission to 3-D IMAX screening from today until 31 December

- Limited-edition cans of Coca-Cola Zero A
VATAR available for keeps

Coca-Cola Zero – a beverage that gives the real taste of Coca-Cola with zero sugar from the Coca-Cola System in Thailand – today announced a partnership between Coca-Cola Zero Black Carpet and AVATAR, this year’s ultimate blockbuster epic film which took 14 years in the making by director

James Cameron of the ‘Titanic’ and ‘Terminator’ fame recognized for his innovative and creative cinematic adventures to entertain his audiences.

The AVATAR epic adventure features new special effects, computer-generated imagery (CGI), 3D and sophisticated film-making technologies that will give audiences a spectacular and exciting viewing experience.

Ms. Chanisa Kaewruen, Marketing Director, Coca-Cola (Thailand) Limited, said, “As a leading partner in this promotional campaign, the Thailand team has organized fun activities for our fans to derive an exclusive and aesthetic experience from this exciting epic film, AVATAR which shares similar aspirations and unconventional values with our brand.”

She added that two initiatives under the Coca-Cola Zero Black Carpet entertainment platform will be implemented to engage Thai consumers who have eagerly looked forward to AVATAR’s nationwide screening on 17 December. Participants in these activities may win a trip to New Zealand to visit WETA Studio that created AVATAR special effects or join 200 lucky winners to watch AVATAR in 3-D IMAX format for free.

“These prizes are valued at over Bht 1 million. We are also airing the unique ‘Coca-Cola Zero AVATAR’ commercial on television and in cinemas along with the use of a comprehensive mix of media. Limited-edition cans of Coca-Cola Zero AVATAR will be made available for sale at hypermarkets, supermarkets, convenience stores, and leading retailers nationwide in the lead-up to the screening of AVATAR in Thailand.”, said Ms. Chanisa.

Enter to win a trip to New Zealand. Mail a Coca-Cola Zero bottle cap together with your name, address, phone number to P.O. Box 49 Phasicharoen, Bangkok 10160 or redeem 7 Coca-Cola Zero bottle caps for 7 coupons whereon to write your name, address, phone number before dropping them in an entry box at any Thai Ticket Major counter, now until 31 December 2009.

Taste of Australia at MGallery International Buffet Dinner VIE Hotel Bangkok

Food devotees will have their pleasure heightened at VIE Hotel Bangkok’s MGallery International Buffet Dinner featuring Australian cuisine and the ‘wine flights’. Moreover, the customers will receive a privilege throughout the month of November 2009.

VIE WINE & GRILL of VIE Hotel Bangkok invites you to experience good food and fine beverage that have become part and parcel of contemporary multicultural Australia. At MGallery International Buffet Dinner will highlight a corner with a wide range of Australian savory. Special for November, the popular ‘wine flights’ provide the opportunity to taste exceptional selection of fine wine from Australia.

Moreover, the customers will receive a choice of privileges either a month complimentary membership at VIE FIT, special discount voucher at VIE SPA and 50 percent discount at Enigma, Paragon Major Cineplex.

MGallery International Buffet Dinner is priced at only Baht 750 Nett (food only) and Baht 1,095 Nett includes 1 set of Australian Wine Flights. Open from 18.30-22.00hrs. on every Thursday, Friday and Saturday at VIE WINE & GRILL, located on the 11th floor of VIE Hotel Bangkok.

Coke bottlers invest B1.5bn

       Thai Namthip and Haad Thip, the local Coca-Cola bottlers, plan to invest 1.5 billion baht in their manufacturing and distribution facilities next year.
       The investment will also expand the companies' product lines and distribution fleets. Thai Namthip serves most local markets in 62 provinces and Haad Thip covers 14 southern provinces. Their products include Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Zero, Coca-Cola Light, Fanta, Sprite,Schweppes, A&W Root Beer, Minute Maid Splash, Minute Maid Pulpy juices and Namthip water.
       Pornwut Sarasin, vice-chairman of Thai Namthip, said the beverage industry could grow as Thai per-capita consumption was less than elsewhere in this region.Coca-Cola sales in other countries also regularly register 15-25% growth.
       "We continue to lead the nonalcoholic sparkling beverage market in Thailand with a market share of almost 50%," he said.
       Col Patchara Rattakul, chief operating officer of Haad Thip, said sales of its products were an important part of the incomes for 300,000 small retailers,100,000 food shops and modern-trade outlets.
       "We believe that any investment in our business and growth in our sector can significantly contribute to grassroots income growth. It also supports growth in related industries, such as suppliers of ingredients and raw materials, since 99% of our raw materials are locally sourced," he added.
       Despite a challenging two years for the industry, Coca-Cola is committed to Thailand.
       "In particular, we are expanding our juice and beverages portfolio through new innovations such as our recently launched Minute Maid Pulpy, a naturally refreshing orange juice with real orange pulp," said Col Patchara.
       In only six months, Pulpy has become the best-selling juice in hypermarkets,supermarkets and convenience stores.

Khao Shong opens first cafe

       Khao Shong Industry 1979 Co, the maker of Khao Shong coffee, will open its first outlet in December after suspending the plan for two years.
       The firm will spend 2 million baht to open its first Khao Shong coffee outlet on Rama IX Road as a showcase for investors interested in franchises.
       The company is in the process of developing new coffee products to widen its customer base.
       It wants to be ready to cope with increased competition in the local industry after the Asean Free Trade Area takes effect next year.
       Under Afta, the 5% import tariff on instant coffee will be eliminated. This will attract a number of new instant coffee and ready-to-drink canned coffee brands into the Thai market.
       Managing director Chana Chiralerspong said the company was confident it could meet the challenge with more marketing activities to be launched in the future.
       In the past few months, the company has appointed sales agents to distribute its products upcountry, and refreshed its brand image with more modern packaging and a new logo.
       "With our 50 years of experience in Thailand's coffee industry, we are confident we can survive in the market in the long term,"he said.
       The firm this week hired "Bie The Star", or Sukrit Wisetkaew, as the brand ambassador for Khao Shong 3-in-1 coffee.
       "Bie The Star will help communicate and link our 3-in-1 coffee to younger customer groups faster than in the past,"Mr Chana said.
       Thailand's total coffee market is estimated to be worth 20 billion baht, with 3-in-1 coffee making up 8.4 billion baht and the remainder ready-to-drink canned coffee and instant coffee. The market is estimated to grow by 10-15% per year,but with 20% growth for 3-in-1 coffee.

HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE BATTLE OVER JUNK FOOD

       To what extent should a govt interfere in the eating habits of people, even unhealthy ones? The pop beverage and junk food war is simmering in the US as America is caught in the debate on freedom to consume versus responsible eating. Schools are cutting back on campus access to fatty, salty snacks and soft drinks, according to a report released by the US Federal Centre for Disease Control and Prevention early this month. And more measures are being introduced.
       USA Today quoted the report on October 6 as saying the states of Mississippi and Tennessee have made the greatest strides. "In Mississippi, the percentage of secondary schools that didn't sell soda or sugary fruit drinks rose from 22 per cent in 2006 to 75 per cent in 2008; in Tennessee, it rose from 27 per cent to 74 per cent".
       In New York, billionaire mayor Michael Bloomberg is forcing chain restaurants to post calorie counts. "[Bloomberg's] food issue has become New York City's. Although he has described his battle against unhealthy foods as common-sense public policy that will shed pounds (and save lives), many of his targets overlap with his own cravings," the New York Times said last month, followed by Bloomberg's admission that he likes Big Macs, "like everybody else".
       At the national level, President Barack Obama is still toying with the idea of taxing calorie-rich soft drink giants to partly fund his healthcare reform.
       The junk food/drink industries are fighting back, however. Coca-Cola ran an advertisement in the New York Times insisting that it's cooperating with schools worried about obesity and will even make the calorie level marking more noticeable for consumers.
       A fast food advocate calling itself the Centre for Consumer Freedom also ran a full-page ad in The Times earlier this month, claiming that the government views Americans as being "too stupid … to make good personal decisions about foods and beverages".
       It attacks Bloomberg for using tax dollars to launch an advertising campaign "to demonise soda".
       In a classic debate between right and responsibility, the ad asks: "Food cops and politicians are attacking food and soda choices they don't like. Have they gone too far? It's your food. It's your drink. It's your freedom".
       Increasingly, the junk food/drink industry is feeling as if it's being treated more like a pariah - like the tobacco industry with more and more restrictions being thrown up.
       America is unique in the sense that one-third of its population is obese and roughly half is overweight.
       While people ought to be able to decide, the American public should bear in mind not just the weighty power of the state but also that of the fast food giants. Having the government unilaterally decide everything cannot be politically healthy in the long run. At the same time, unrestricted, harmful for-profit activities should be reigned in.
       Youths deserve special attention and protection, however. And how events unfold in the United States may set a precedent for many other parts of the world as the export of American junk food culture has pervaded nations near and far - even those once remote.

Coke rolls out "mini-cans" in calorie war

       Coca-Cola Co said on Wednesday it would launch 90-calorie mini cans of soda to help consumers manage their calorie intake.
       The world's largest soft-drink maker said the smaller packages would be available for the Coca-Cola, Sprite, Fanta Orange, Cherry Coca-Cola and Barq's Root Beer brands. The cans will be sold in packages of eight.
       The mini cans will debut in New York and Washington D.C. in December. Their nationwide roll-out should be "well under way" by March, the company said.
       The Atlanta-based company said last month it would include calorie infor-mation on the front of nearly all its packages as it intensifies efforts to raise consumer awareness about nutrition and a healthy lifestyle. The moves come in the wake of increasingly vocal calls in Washington for taxes on sugary drinks and junk food to help fight the problem of obesity in the United States.

READY-TO-DRINK SEGMENT RECORDS 20% GROWTH

       The fruit-juice market grew by 7 per cent to Bt8.2 billion over the last 12 months, thanks to brisk sales of mass market products.
       "We have seen growth at about 10 per cent each in both the medium and economy ready-to-drink fruit juice segments, worth Bt600 million and Bt2.7 billion respectively," Pathumrat Pianchorb, the director in charge of branded business for the country's leading fruit juice company, Malee Sampran, said yesterday.
       "However, the Bt1.4-billion super economy ready-to-drink fruit juice segment has enjoyed trementdous growth of almost 20 per cent over the past 12 months," she said.
       With the rebound in the economy and consumers' purchasing power, the company has witnessed signs of recovery in the fruit juice market over the last two months, she said.
       Only the premium ready-to-drink 100-per cent fruit juice segment worth Bt2.8 billion was expected to decline 3 per cent in the period, caused by a fall in pasteurised fruit juice as consumers opted for cheaper products, such as economy and super economy fruit juices.
       The market for pasteurised ready-to-drink fruit juice peroducts, which is worth about Bt300 million, dropped sharply by 20 per cent year over the past 12 months as consumers shifted to products with lower prices and longer shelf lives.
       There are also many new players competing in the economy product segment.
       Malee Sampran expects its sales to increase 5-10 per cent this year to Bt1.8 billion-bt2 billion, of which about 55 per cent is fruit juice and 45 per cent non-fruit juice.
       "We are looking to develop and launch non-juice products as well as below 100-per-cent fruit juices next year to balance our product portfolio," she said.
       Malee Sampran has budgeted Bt5 million to promote Malee i-Corn, a 100-per-cent corn milk beverage, during the 10 days of the Chinese Gin Je Festival starting on Saturday.
       During this period, Chinese like eating vegetarian food.
       "It is a great opportunity for us to boost the penetration of our Malee i-Corn corn milk beverage, particularly among the Chinese, who avoid drink dairy beverages during the Gin Je festival," she said.
       The company expects Bt200 million in sales of Malee i-Corn during the festival.
       Malee i-Corn now leads the Bt120-million UHT corn milk beverage market with a 30-per-cent share.
       The market is projected to expand by about 5 per cent this year.
       The company aims to increase Malee i-Corn's share to 35-40 per cent by next year.

Coke makes calorie info more prominent

       Coca-Cola Co will change the packaging on almost all its products to more prominently display certain nutritional facts amid increasing pressure on lawmakers to consider taxes on sugary sodas, which some health experts blame for rising obesity rates
       The effort, announced on Wednesday,will place calories-per-serving and servings-per-container details on the side of almost all of the soft drink maker's products sold in more than 200 countries.Only fountain drinks, water and beverages sold in reusable bottles will be exempted from the switch.
       The company said it "hopes the broken-out details - displayed in black text set in a white oblong box - will be more convenient for customers who want quick nutritional information at a glance."
       "Nowmore than ever, people expect facts about the products they consume to be both readily available and visible,"chairman and CEOMuhtar Kent said in a statement.
       But some critics see the change as little more than an effort aimed at fending off a possible tax on its products, in-cluding a levy being promoted in a September issue of the New England Journal of Medicine ."One might perceive this move as the companies trying to make an appearance of good-faith efforts to improve nutrition, where their real motive might be too fight off government regulation,"said Kelly Brownell, director of Yale University's Rudd Centre for Food Policy and Obesity, who proposed the tax in the medical journal.
       Taxes on soft drinks aren't new. But of the nearly three dozen states that charge sales tax on the beverages, most levies are typically small - averaging about 5%. On a $1 can of soda, that translates to about five cents.
       The proposal offered by group of nutrition and economics experts in the medical journal calls for a one-centper-ounce sales tax on the sometimescaloric and sugary drinks, an amount more than double the average state tax.It would increase the levy on that 12 oz.soda can to 12 cents.
       Coke, which opposes a potential soda tax, says its beefed up labeling isn't about fending off extra taxes, but is about promoting better health among its customers."There's no silver bullet," spokeswoman Allyson Park said.
       "Our company is committed to helping address obesity by encouraging active,healthy living through our products, programs and policies."
       Coke said it's already changed packaging on products in Europe and Australia and is in the process of changing labels in the US and Mexico.
       Bottles and cans will continue to have regular nutritional labels with more detailed information on the back.
       The company expects to complete the switch by the end of 2011, but sooner in the US and Canada where the labels will be added by the end of 2010.
       John Sicher, editor and publisher of the trade publication Beverage Digest ,said other competitors could take similar steps in the future."I think we're going to see all the major beverage companies take more initiatives to both increase the health and wellness aspects of their portfolios and to communicate their sense of responsibility to their consumers," he said.

DANONE SETTLES WITH WAHAHA, SELLS FULL JV STAKE

       Food giant Danone and China's largest soft drink maker Wahaha put an amicable end to their long-standing feud yesterday, with the French firm selling its full 51-per-cent stake in their joint ventures.
       The deal between the companies, which together ran 39 joint ventures, is still subject to the approval of Chinese authorities but has the "support" of the governments in Paris and Beijing, the firms said in a statement.
       "The completion of this settlement will put an end to all legal proceedings related to the disputes between the two parties," they said.
       The statement did not give any financial details of the deal, and Wahaha spokesman Shan Qining delcined to release any figures.
       The feud began when Danone said it had discovered that Wahaha chairman Zong Qinghou had set up an entire production and distribution network in parallel to the French firm's joint ventures with Wahaha.
       In mid-2007 the French firm sought an arbitration ruling, accusing the Chinese beverage gaint of breach of agreement by selling Wahaha-branded drinks without its permission.
       "The collaboration between Danone and Wahaha helped to build a strong and respected leader in the Chinese beverage industry," Danone chairman and chief executive Franck Riboud said in the statement.
       "We are confident that Wahaha will continue to be highly successful under its future management."
       Danone remains committed to China, Riboud said, adding the company was "keen to accelerate the success of our Chinese activities".
       The dispute had sparked a series of retaliatory moves in China and abroad, including in the United States and Sweden.

Danone settles with Wahaha, sells venture stake

       The French food giant Group Danone SA said yesterday it had ended its longstanding feud with Wahaha, China's largest soft-drink maker,by agreeing to sell its 51% stake in their joint ventures.
       "The amicable settlement between the companies, which together ran 39 joint ventures, is subject to Chinese regulatory approval but has the support of Paris and Beijing," the companies said in a joint statement.
       "The completion of this settlement will put an end to all legal proceedings related to the disputes between the two parties," they said.
       The statement did not give any financial details of the deal, and Wahaha spokesman Shan Qining declined to release any figures.
       The feud began when Danone said it had discovered that Wahaha chairman Zong Qinghou had set up an entire production and distribution network in parallel to the French firm's joint ventures with Wahaha.
       In mid-2007 the French firm sought an arbitration ruling, accusing the Chinese beverage giant of breach of agreement by selling Wahaha-branded drinks without its permission.
       "The collaboration between Danone and Wahaha helped to build a strong and respected leader in the Chinese beverage industry," Danone chairman and chief executive Franck Riboud said in the statement."We are confident that Wahaha will continue to be highly successful under its future management."
       "Danone remains committed to China," Riboud said, adding the company was keen to accelerate the success of our Chinese activities.
       The dispute had sparked a series of retaliatory moves in China and abroad,including in the United States and Sweden.
       A Chinese court ruled last year that Wahaha owned the trademark, which was valued by the state-controlled China Daily newspaper at $2.4 billion.
       The feud between the two companies was at turns bitter and personal, with Danone trying to install a French executive to replace Zong as chairman in mid-2007. Zong fought off the move,declaring it illegal.
       The dispute also struck a nationalist chord, with Zong accusing his French partners of trying to steal a Chinese brand.
       But the Wahaha chairman on yesterday adopted a more friendly tone.
       "China is an open country. Chinese people are broad-minded people.Chinese companies are willing to cooperate and grow with the world's leading peers on the basis of equality and reciprocal benefit," Zong said in the statement.
       Zong founded Wahaha in 1987 selling milk products in a school store.
       Danone and Wahaha formed their joint venture in 1996, and the Chinese drink maker credits the foreign investment and technology it gained through that partnership with helping to transform it into a national brand.
       Lao Bing, a Shanghai-based food and beverage analyst, however said Chinese companies might see the case as a cautionary tale about the risks of relying on foreign partners.
       "They should learn to think twice about the power of capital and that they may no longer have full control over the situation," Lao said."They must not just sign agreements to attract capital,because clauses could jeopardise their development in the future."

Starbucks coffee brewed in an instant

       Chief executive Howard Schultz called "Via Ready Brew"perhaps the biggest opportunity in Starbucks Corp's history as he prepared for the instant coffee product's North American roll-out.
       With Via, the coffee chain that introduced espresso drinks to the masses,hopes to steal a big slice of the $21 billion global instant coffee market from established players like Nestle SA's Nescafe and Kraft Foods Inc's Sanka.
       "This is the biggest investment we've made in a national launch," said Schultz,who is navigating a turnaround at Starbucks while looking for new products to drive profits.
       Starbucks will trumpet Via's debut in the United States and Canada with a week-long advertising campaign that will highlight in-store taste tests pitting Via against Starbucks brewed coffee.
       Some analysts have questioned whether American coffee drinkers will flock to Via, particularly since it will compete with familiar and far less expensive products.
       Schultz said that due to the higher quality of Via, it would not compete with existing instant coffee products.He added that Via did not cannibalise Starbucks main business in markets where it was tested.
       "This is not your grandmother's instant coffee," Schultz said."The quality of Starbucks Via is a mirror image of the quality and taste of Starbucks brewed coffee."
       While the CEO said that Via exceeded expectations when it was tested in Seattle,Chicago and London, he declined to reveal expectations for Via profits, the cost of the advertising campaign or the timing of Via's launch in other parts of the world.
       A trio of single-serve Via packets will sell for $2.95 in the United States and 12 packets will sell for $9.95. Those prices are significantly higher than Nescafe's Taster's Choice single-serve packets that sell in Los Angeles for roughly $1.50 for six and around $4 for 20.
       "Starbucks aficionados won't baulk at the price of Via if they believe it delivers on taste," said Bill Smead, portfolio manager of the Smead Value Fund in Seattle.
       William Blair & Co analyst Sharon Zackfia said Via's greatest potential "lies in overseas markets where instant coffee still dominates."
       Still, she does believe that Via has added some US coffee drinkers to the ranks of instant coffee users.
       "I think (Starbucks) can get a slice of the pie," she said."In Seattle and Chicago,I think they've grown the pie."
       Analysts say that grocery stores will be key to Via's success.
       Schultz said Starbucks does not yet have a partner to sell Via in supermarkets,but he promises that such a deal will be announced in 2010.
       Meanwhile, Schultz said, shoppers can find Via at Starbucks cafes, on United Airlines flights and in Target, Costco,REI, Office Depot and Barnes & Noble stores.
       "We think (Via) will have similar results to Starbucks frappuccino and ice cream products sold in grocery stores," portfolio manager Smead said.
       Starbucks partners with PepsiCo on bottled frappuccino and with Unilever on ice cream.
       "I don't think it will be the core of the business, but it will be a very profitable line," Smead said of Via.
       Zackfia said it has been hard for analysts to predict what Via's impact would be, so they have taken a very conservative approach with regard to its impact on Starbucks profits."It could be a potentially positive wild card."

Foreign orders add weight to recovery

       Prospects have improved for the local paper industry due to a revival in overseas demand and prices, says Siam Cement Group.
       Thailand's top industrial conglomerate said the demand for paper fell by almost 20% in the first half when compared with the same period in 2008 due to the sluggish economy. But the figure has improved in the second half due to larger exports, Chaovalit Ekabut, the president of SCG Paper, said yesterday.
       Orders rose in the second quarter over the first three months while third quarter orders remain steady."The overall consumption of paper this year will be lower from last year but it should not be a double-digit decline," he said.
       Paper prices, which fell 15% to 20%in the first half year-on-year, have started rising. The prices are now lower than last year's peak by 10% to 15%, Mr Chaovalit added.
       The company is focusing on high value-added products to increase their contribution to its overall portfolio to 25% in 2010, up from 20% this year, to enjoy higher profit margins.
       SCG Paper, Thailand's largest paper manufacturer, yesterday launched a coffee-cup sleeve produced from recycled paper that comes with a "Thermozense"heat indicator which will be available at True Coffee cafes.
       Mr Chaovalit said the new product has been developed under SCG's principle of "green inspiration", which promotes environmental responsibility among consumers. An initial run of 100,000 heat indicators has been produced. The colour of the sticker changes from red to white as the coffee cools.
       "True is aiming for technology that enables us to have a better experience in our daily lives and SCG has helped us by creating the innovation that we have been searching for for a long time," said Papon Ratanachaikanont, assistant to the president of True Corp.
       "In the past, we depended on foreignmade products by using coffee sleeves imported from China. Now that there are new sleeves from SCG, it will lower our cost by 30%," he said.
       Shares of Siam Cement (SCC) closed yesterday on the Stock Exchange of Thailand at 224 baht, down 5 baht, in trade worth 356 million baht.

THAIBEV TO USE SPORT IN WIDENING NON-ALCOHOLIC DRINKS PORTFOLIO

       Thai Beverage is entering the sports or electrolyte drink market through the launch of Power Plus jproducts to help balance out its alcoholic beverage business.
       "The company will focus on penetrating the non-alcoholic beverae market, as the revenue from this segment is only 1 per cent of the total. The portion is too small given the company's mission to be an integrated beverage company," Marut Buranasetkul, deputy managing director of Thai Beverage Marketing, said yesterday.
       ThaiBev has already taken over energy-drink maker Wrangyer, as its first step in diversifying away from the alcohol business.
       ThaiBev's sales in the first half of this year were up only 0.9 per cent on year to Bt54 billion, while net profit rose 9.7 per cent to Bt5.8 billion on improved margins.
       ThaiBev wil keep launching three to four products a year, both through its own innovation and through part nership with other companies.
       To boost its nonkk-alcoholic bever age business, the company next year would embark on an image-building campaing. Its non-alcolic portfolio now covers sodas,bottled water, coffee and energy drinks.
       Power Plus is targeted to be the No by 2012, which requires sales growth of over 15 per cent per year, Marut said. Sponsor controls 60 per cent of the market, follwed by M Sport with 25-30 per cent and Gatorade with 5-10 per cent.
       The company has set aside a Bt70 million marketing budget for the new products, targeting health-conscious people as well as sportsmen, to achieve the first-year sales target of Bt300 million or 10 per cent of the market.
       At the end of next month, Power Plus will be available in modern trade channels, with sales outlets to be expanded later.
       "We haven't invested hugely in the product,as it is made by the Wrangyer factory and wil be supported by Thai Beverage's strong distribution network," he said.
       To penetrate the export market,ThaiBev yesterday signed on as an official sponsor for the 25th SEA Games in Vientiane, with Power Plus as its main sponsorship product.
       Power Plus is targeted to be No2 player in the sports drink segment by 2012-an annual growth of 15 per cent.
       Power Plus joins fray: Thai Beverage is entering the sports or electrolyte drink market through the launch of Power Plus products to help balance out its alcoholic beverage business.

TREND RISKS REDUCED BY HIGH VALUE-ADDED

       SCG Paper, a business unit of the Siam Cement Group, plans to boost its proportion of revenue from high value-added paper to 25 per cent by next year.
       The move will be aimed at diver-sifying risks arising from general paper consumption, which usually follows economic trends.
       President Chaovalit Ekabut yesterday said sales revenue form high value-added paper had showed a slight year-on-year increase so far, while revenue from other products had fallen, due to the economic slowdown.
       The proportion of company revenue generated by high value-added paper is about 20 per cent this year, and that is set to increase.
       SCG Paper generated revenue fo Bt47.11 bilion last year.
       "Paper consumption, both domestically and in export markets, is in line with the world economic situation. If we focus more on innovative products, we have a greater chance of expanding our client base and our markets. At present, SCG Paper manufactures high valueadded products made from paper for several clients," he said.
       Chaovlit said total paper consumption in the first half of the year fell 20 per cent year on year in volume, while paper prices fell 15-20 percent. SCG Paper's first-half sales volume declined at a double-kigit rate from a year earlier, but its figures are still better than those of the overall market.
       paper-consumption trends and paper prices have been improving in the second half, thanks to the econow 10-15 per ecnt lower than at this time last year.
       If Thailand's exports recover in the fourth quarter and early next year, then demand for paper should also improve, he said.
       SCG Paper recently began manufacturing coffee sleeves made from recycled paper. The sleeves come with ThermoXense, a heat-indicator sticker that is produced exclusively for True Coffee. If the beverage in the sleeve is hot, the heat indicatkor turns from a red colour to white. SCG Paper has produced 100,000 ThermoZense sleeves for True Coffee and may produce more in the future.
       Papon Ratanachaikanont, assistant to True Corp's president, said True Coffee had cancelled the importation of coffee sleeves from China and switched to ordering them from SCG Paper, a Thai manufacturer.
       He said True Coffee would raise its full-year revenue target after achieving its earlier target of Bt140 million in only the first half.

PEPSICO NAMED ON CHINESE BLACKLIST

       Many foreign companies, including PepsiCo and Mead Johnson, from 25 countries have been blacklisted by a monthly report from the State Council watchdog in charge of product quality.
       Among the firms blacklisted, the most prominent was PepsiCo, which has its international branch based in New York. Nearly 38 tonnes of frozen concentrated orange juice that the firm allegedly imported from Louis Dreyfus Citrus Trading in Brazil in July were found with excessive years, according to the website of the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine. Excessive yeast causes foods to spoil faster.
       The watchdog issues its report monthly and names unqualified imported goods. Though the listing has no economic impact on the firms listed, the banned products are either return-ed or destroyed.
       Mead Johnson, the plarmaceutical manufacturer based in Illinois, allegedly imported 300 kilograms of baby formula in July with substandard protein.
       Some 150 other batches of food, beverages and dosmetics from more than 20 countries were also deemed unqualified in July. A quarter of the substandard products came from the US.

OISHI MD TAN MAKES A SPLASH IN REAL ESTATE

       Tan Passakornnatee, Oishi Group managing director, plans several major investments in property and hospitality projects in the coming year.
       A condominium projects on Sukhumvit Road worth Bt2.5 billion will be his first investment next year, following an investment of Bt450 million to develop a luxury hotel, Villa Maroc, in Pranburi district of Prachuab Khiri Khan province three years ago. Villa Maroc will have its grand opening on Jan 1.
       Tan said he began investing his own money in property three years ago, spending between Bt2 billion and Bt3 billion to collect undeveloped land in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Lopburi land Pranburi district.
       He said that after collecting more land, he plans to developed residences and hospitality projects from next year until 2012.
       The first project will be a condominium block worth Bt2.5 billion. Tan is in negotiations with strategic partners to develop this project.
       He has also joined with Siam Future Development to develop unused land in Chang Mai as a community mall. Investment will begin next year. Among other plans are the development of land in Lopburi province as a weekend market.
       Meanwhile, land owned by Tan on Ploenchit Road, which currently houses a Caltex petrol station, will be developed into a hotel when the petrol station's lease expires in three or four years.
       Tan also has 12 rai of land on Soi Thong Lor. Currently it is being used as a soccer field but Tan thinks it has potential for development.
       "When we decided to invest in the property business, we saw a business opportunity that was different from the kind that lures others investors, who are often drawn to in stocks or gold, or deposit their money in the bank," he said. While the returns on bank deposits are currently lower than inflation, he said, investment in land makems sense in the long term.
       "We aren't concerned solely about high return on investment. Our priorities are that our investments," he said.
       When he started to develop Villa Maroc in Pranburi, Tan spent Bt450 million on just 15 rooms. That is not a recipe for a high return on investment. But he believed in taking the long-term view that the more important goal was creating an attractive tourist destination in Pranburi district. "When tourists visit Pranburi, they have to visit Villa Maroc," was the goal.
       For his condominium project on Sukhumvit, Than is nekgotiating with a strategic partner.
       His future projects will also find require strategic partners, due to Tan's philosophyj that when it comes to business, he does not know everything.
       Tan built the Oishi Group, which manages Japanese restaurants and produces and distributes green tea under the Oishi brand, then sold a stake to beverage tycoon Charoen Siriwattanabhakdi. He still holds a stake in Oishi and remains its managing director.