(KPL) The Lao Brewery Company, mostly known as Beer Lao, hosted last Friday a reception to celebrate its 45^th anniversary (1973-2018).

The celebration was held in Vientiane Capital in the presence of the Deputy Prime Minister Somdy Douangdy, the Minister of Foreign Affair Saleumxay Kommasith, the President of the Lao Brewery Company Sounthone Phommachack.

The Lao Brewery Co., Ltd. was founded in 1973 as a joint venture between foreign investors and Lao businessmen originally under the registered name of Lao Beer and Ice Factory. In its early years, the company had an annual production capacity of 3 million litres of beer, 1.5 million litres of carbonated drinks and a daily production capacity of 120 tonnes of rice.

Following the establishment of the Lao PDR in December 1975, the Lao government took over the foreigners’ shares and followed by the voluntarily handing over of shares from the Lao businessmen to the state.

In 1993, Loxley Public Co., Ltd and Italian-Thai Public Co., Ltd invested in Lao Brewery Co., Ltd which enabled the increase on both its production capacity and marketing potential.

In 2002, there was a change in the joint venture partners as the new partners included the Lao government (50%), Carlsberg Asia Co. Ltd. (25%) and the TCC International Co. Ltd. (25%). In 2005 there was another change in ownership with the Lao government holding a 50% stake and Carlsberg Breweries also holding a 50% share.

In 2008, Lao Brewery Co., Ltd officially opened its second factory in Champassak. This plant is composed of a full managerial and technological system. The factory’s production’s line is fully in command of computerized systems and innovative machines generating its annual production capacity of 50 million litters and could be extended to 200 million litters. In addition, carbonated and soft drinks affiliated to Pepsi Inc. are also produced here.

KPL