Business
Lion Beer named Export Brand of the Year at SLIM Awards 2022
Lion brand grows geographic footprint through distribution, availability and visibility
Lion Brewery has been named “Export Brand of the Year”. The award honours the business that has worked most purposefully, strategically and successfully with their brand in expanding into geographic markets and through significant and sustained export sales, and where the brand is documented and anchored in the company, a news release on the event said.
It said the company won the award at the SLIM Brand Excellence Awards 2022 held on December 8 which celebrates extraordinary success in creative and effective messaging and results by businesses throughout the year.
The awards are judged by senior marketers representing a cross-section of industries in Sri Lanka. Lion Brewery was represented by Ruchira Money, Vice President Marketing Planning & NPD, Sharina Bandaranayake, Assistant Vice President Local Power Brands, Muaaz Rafeek, Brand Executive International Business, and Kineta Fernandez, Brand Executive Local Power Brands.
“With its unique values and world-class quality, Lion Brewery’s growing geographic footprint in the international beer market is delivering sustainable growth and margin to the business and supply chain. The Lion portfolio is now available in over 37 markets with exports revenue recording a CAGR of 41.6% over the past five years and YoY exports revenue growth a sizeable 47% for the financial year ended 31st March 2022.” the release said.
“Revenue contribution from exports to the company also marked a 36.3% YoY growth and recorded a CAGR of 23% over the past five years. During the year, the company grew its share in the larger food & beverage exports category by 29bps, while increasing by 114bps over the past five years.”
Lion Brewery’s strategy includes growing the brands’ and company’s presence through distribution, availability and visibility and developing winning propositions in fast-growing segments, the release explained.
“Consumer and trade marketing initiatives in the UK, Canada, Oman, Qatar, and Kenya, and developing and strengthening partnerships with top tier distributors such as Canada’s top beer distribution channel The Beer Store, and Duty Free terminals in Oman, Qatar and UAE, are highlighting the brand’s quality credentials, building awareness and image,” it said.
Lion Brewery is one of the largest capex investors in the manufacturing sector of the economy with its state of the art brewery in Biyagama. In addition to earning foreign exchange for the country’s treasury, it has attracted foreign direct investment to Sri Lanka through Carlsberg’s equity stake in the business. The Brewery is the second largest tax payer in the alcobev segment, contributing LKR 47bn during the year ended 31st March 2022 while injecting LKR 8bn to the economy through the purchases of goods and services excluding its contribution to government.
The Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) proudly facilitated the first-ever Sri Lankan delegation’s participation at Drupa 2024, the world’s largest trade fair for the printing industry and technology. Held after an eight-year hiatus, Drupa 2024 was a landmark event, marking significant advancements and opportunities in the global printing industry.
AHK Sri Lanka played a pivotal role in organising and supporting the delegation, which comprised 17 members from the Sri Lanka Association for Printers (SLAP), representing eight companies from the commercial, newspaper, stationery printing, and packaging industries. This pioneering effort by AHK Sri Lanka not only showcased the diverse capabilities of Sri Lanka’s printing sector but also facilitated vital bilateral discussions with key stakeholders from the German printing industry.
Business
Unveiling Ayugiri: Browns Hotels & Resorts sets the stage for a new era in luxury Ayurveda Wellness
In a captivating reimagining of luxury wellness tourism, Browns Hotels & Resorts proudly unveiled the exquisite Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya. This momentous occasion, celebrated amidst a vibrant and serene grand opening on the 6th of June, heralds a new chapter in the Ayurveda wellness tourism landscape in Sri Lanka. Nestled amidst 54 acres of unspoiled natural splendour, Ayugiri features 22 exclusive suites and stands out as the only luxury Ayurveda wellness resort in the country offering plunge pools in every room, rendering it truly one-of-a-kind.
The grand opening of Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort was an enchanting event, where guests were captivated by the melodies of flutists and violinists resonating through Sigiriya’s lush landscapes. As traditional drummers and dancers infused the air with vibrant energy, Browns Hotels & Resorts’ CEO, Eksath Wijeratne, Kotaro Katsuki, Acting Ambassador for the Embassy of Japan and General Manager, Buwaneka Bandara, unveiled the resort’s new logo, marking a significant moment witnessed by distinguished guests from the French Embassy, Ayurveda and wellness enthusiasts along with officials from the Sigiriya area, LOLC Holdings and Browns Group.
“Our strategic expansion into wellness tourism with Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya symbolises a significant milestone for Browns Hotels & Resorts. Wellness tourism has consistently outperformed the overall tourism industry for over a decade, reflecting a growing global interest in travel that goes beyond leisure to offer rejuvenation and holistic well-being. By integrating the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda with modern luxury, we aim to set a new standard in luxury wellness tourism in Sri Lanka. Whether your goal is prevention, healing, or a deeper connection to inner harmony, Ayugiri offers a sanctuary for holistic well-being” stated Eksath Wijeratne.
Ayugiri encapsulates the essence of life, inspired by the lotus flower held by the graceful queens of the infamous Sigiriya frescoes. Just as the lotus emerges from the murky depths, untainted and serene,
Ayugiri invites guests on a journey of purity and rejuvenation, harmonised with a balance of mind, body and spirit, the essence of nature, echoes of culture and the wisdom of ancient Ayurvedic healing.
HNB General Insurance, one of Sri Lanka’s leading general insurance providers, has been honored as the Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024 by the prestigious Global Banking and Finance Review – UK.
The esteemed accolade underscores HNB General Insurance’s unwavering commitment to excellence and its outstanding performance in the field of bancassurance. Through dedication and hard work, the HNB General Insurance team has continuously endeavored to deliver innovative insurance solutions, cultivate strong relationships with banking partners, and provide unparalleled service to customers nationwide. This recognition is a testament to the team’s dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence in the bancassurance business.
“We are honored to receive this prestigious award, which reflects our team’s tireless efforts and dedication to delivering value-added insurance solutions and exceptional service through our bancassurance partnerships,” said Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNB General Insurance. “This recognition reaffirms our position as a trusted insurance provider in Sri Lanka and motivates us to continue striving for excellence in serving our customers and communities.”
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