After 50 years of intensive operations, Champion Breweries PLC has hit the market with their popular champion beer and Champ Malta in disposable cans, marking a big milestone in the history of the beverage company.
The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Champion Breweries, Dr. Inalegwu Adoga, said in a brief ceremony held at the company’s premises yesterday in Uyo that the introduction of the one-way products is about meeting the needs and expectations of their teeming customers and consumers across Nigeria.
According to him, “Every company thrives on customer satisfaction. If your customers or consumers are not satisfied, you don’t have any business being in business. Therefore, we have to go this way because our consumers have been yearning for our products to come in cans. The cans satisfy a particular segment of the market.”
He added that there are occasions when people will not want to use returnable bottles because cans are more convenient and can be transported to other parts of the country.
Adoga further explained the challenges with returnable bottles, stressing that the delay in getting them back from the market sometimes impedes the pace of production.
“That has been a big challenge to us, as we spend money buying bottles; the market retention of these bottles over the years has been very high and slows down our ability to continue our circle of production at our pace; however, with cans we can distribute our products as far as we want in the market,” he averred.
Related: Champion Breweries Uyo Unveils Three New Beverages
The managing director highlighted that the company is planning to install its can line to minimise the cost of production and maximise profit. “We are already listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, and planning to go to the capital market in the first quarter of next year, we will release our public offer of shares, and that will give investors the opportunity to invest, and the funds required to build our can line will be raised. Of all the projects we have on board for next year, the canning line is our top priority”.
He added that the proposed canning line will be accommodated within the premises of the brewery and made a passionate appeal to the government of Akwa Ibom State to give more land around their facility to them for ease of expansion to accommodate the canning line.
“This is one area where we are soliciting government support and cooperation. Don’t forget that the government has 10 percent shares in this company; by giving us the land, they are also increasing their stake in the company.”
The managing director, who traced the top-quality beverages produced by the company to the purest water found on the premises, assured the customers, who are demanding table water, of plans to float one soon. “Your beverages are as good as the water you used in production; we will invest in the table water project in the near future.”
The managing director maintained that the champion breweries will continue to work harder to remain the market leader of beverages in the south-south part of Nigeria.
He added, “We will remain focused on realising our vision in the south-south part of the country before expanding to other parts of the country. The opportunity is there, especially with the introduction of the can drinks. Already the people in Lagos, Abuja, and other parts of the country are yearning to get our products.
Speaking earlier before unveiling the new canned drinks to the public, the chairman of the board of directors of the company, Pastor Imoabasi Jacob, who extended the goodwill and support of the state government on the new products, acknowledged that it is the realisation of the expectations of their teeming customers.
He recalled that at the last stakeholders meeting in Lagos, demands were made for the champion beverages to hit the Lagos and Abuja markets.
He praised the managing director, Dr. Inalegwu Adoga for defiling all odds to achieve the lofty project.” Champion Beer and Champ Malta in Cans means more mileage and capacity for the company.
While thanking those who are part of the history, he appealed to all to join hands to promote the new products.
Addressing the company’s distributors and customers during interactive sessions, the head of sales and commercial excellence, Mr. Anthony Osagwu, explained, “Each time we come around to you, our distributors, this is what you have requested. We are here today. While thanking you for your cooperation, I wish to inform you that the future will be greater; we don’t take our partnership with you for granted, and for your patience, we so much appreciate it.
“I want to assure you that our company will produce all our other products in Can. The sales will start immediately in Akwa Ibom state before moving into other states of the country.
The Champion Brewery is a company with rich portfolios; our tables are filled with projects, and those agitating for our company to go into water production should expect it soon.
