E-Malt.com News article: USA: International Beverage Holdings, Ltd. appoints John Lennon to lead new U.S. regional headquarters

International Beverage Holdings, Ltd. (InterBev) announced August 14 that beverage industry veteran, John Lennon, will join the company as President of its new U.S. Regional Headquarters, with immediate effect. The new venture, called InterBev USA Inc, will be based in New York City and charged with developing the company's diverse international portfolio of branded Asian spirits and beer throughout North America.

In commenting on the opening of the new US Regional Headquarters and Lennon's appointment, InterBev's Group President and CEO, Barrie Jackson, stated, "We are delighted to be announcing the opening of the North American Market for our company and pleased to have someone with John Lennon's deep entrepreneurial experience in pioneering the development of several prominent international brands, to be at the helm of InterBev USA Inc."

Lennon brings over 20 years' experience in the beverage industry to his new role. Prior to joining InterBev USA Inc, Lennon was President and CEO of Seattle-based Pyramid Breweries, Inc. Before that he was President and CEO of Beck's North America and VP and General Manager of Guinness Caribbean and Latin America. He has previous experience in various senior marketing and sales roles with Mexico's FEMSA Cerveza, All Brand Importers and with Guinness in both the USA and Ireland.

In speaking of his appointment Lennon said, "InterBev is now poised to achieve rapid development in the world stage and I am thrilled to be joining InterBev USA Inc, at this exciting time in the company's development. I am particularly excited about having the opportunity to build a first class organisation to introduce exciting new international brands to American consumers".

InterBev Ltd has been established to be the international arm of Asia's leading drinks business, The Thai Beverage Public Company Ltd (ThaiBev), which is headquartered in Bangkok, Thailand. InterBev Ltd is responsible for the group's international development including the growth of a strong portfolio of beverage alcohol brands encompassing spirits, beer and wine and other beverage categories in the international arena. The company exports brands to over 80 countries and operations are managed out of four regional offices located in the United Kingdom, Singapore, Hong Kong and New York City.

ThaiBev was founded in October 2003 and owns 16 distilleries and 3 breweries. ThaiBev's brands include Beer Chang, Thailand's no. 1 beer; Mekhong and Sangsom Rum both ranked in the top 100 spirits brands in the World by IMPACT Magazine.

ThaiBev was recently listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange and has a market capitalisation of circa US$4 Billion.



16 August, 2006