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| (L-R) Managing Director Nigerian Breweries Plc, Nicolaas Vervelde, National Champion of the Distributors Award 2015, Dem Joy Igwe, Sir Gabriel Igwe, of Ifeoma Chukwuka Nigeria Limited, and the Nigerian Breweries Managing Director’ Wife, Clementine Vervelde at the Distributors’ Award presentation tagged Partnering for Greatness in Lagos. |
A distributor with Nigeria’s foremost brewing giant, Nigerian Breweries Plc has broken the African record by becoming the No 1 independent distributor for the sale of Heineken products. The company, Ifeoma Chukwuka Nigeria limited achieved this featby selling 4 million cases of products in 2014.
This was the highpoint of the 2015 edition of Nigerian Breweries Plc distributors’ Award held at Eko Hotel and Suites Hotel in Lagos to acknowledge and reward distributors’ who excelled in 2014. The company, having sold the required cases of Nigerian Breweries products, also emerged the best distributor back to back having won the same award last year in the National Champions Award category.Same as last year, Ken Maduakor Nigeria Limited was the first runner up while Magulf Global Enterprises Nigeria Limited clinched the second runner up.
For their commendable performances and efforts, Ifeoma Chukwuka went home with a trophy and a brand new Mercedes Diesel Truck to further enhance their business. Ken Maduakor and Magulf Enterprises went home with a Mitsubishi Canter Truck and trophies each.
On how the company achieved this commendable feat, Managing Director of Ifeoma Ckukwuka Nigeria Limited, Dame Joy Igwe – who also won six other awards that same night – revealed the secret behind the success of her sales: “I feel so happy to have won seven awards especially the National award. Focus and determination is the secret. For us, winning is a lifestyle and we will continue to work hard. I will also like to Commend Nigerian Breweries Plc for their support and encouragement always.
“I make bold to say they are the best company to work with in Nigeria because they provide everything you need to succeed. So with such a company behind you, why won’t you succeed? They encourage us to do more every year and we hope to win again next year. We are growing as Nigerian Breweries is growing. We thank God for that.”
Speaking prior to the presentation of the awards, Sales Director of Nigerian Breweries, Mr. Hubert Eze, affirmed that partnership with key distributors and transporter is a major factor in the company’s success story which has also contributed to growth in sales volume. He stated that the merger with Consolidated Breweries Limited has further strengthened the company’s business.
“The theme of this year’s distributors’ award is ‘Partnering for Progress.’ We are in it together – for a long time and not just to make profit. Despite the challenges in 2014, we recorded a growth in volume rolling out new brands and re-launching existing brands. We thank our key distributors for their support and all that have worked together for the success of the company.”
Mr. Eze motivated the distributors to continue to stock and the sell NB products as the company continue to expand its portfolio with products that consumers crave.
The Managing Director, Mr. Nicolaas Vervelde, who gave the overall scorecard of the company in 2014, appreciated the key distributors and transporters for their undaunted partnership during thick and thin. “In second half of 2014, the market was tougher but our partnership with key distributors made it possible that NB maintained its leadership position.”
He reminded the strategic partners that; “sometime last year we informed you of plans by Nigerian Breweries Plc to merge with Consolidated Breweries Plc. That merger was successfully completed in December 2014. Following this merger, the new Nigerian Breweries has become an enlarged company with extensive supply chain footprint and distribution infrastructure across the country. We now have 11 breweries spread across the country, 19 brands and 56 SKUs covering more consumer segments in our market. The combination of brands, customers, staff and products as well as the exchange of best practice would create opportunities for higher revenue growth for our company and your businesses.”
By this action, he stressed that the company believes in investment, not only in new products but also in our existing ones. “Our business success continues to be driven by marketing innovations. In 2014, we introduced Star Lite, Nigeria’s first crisp, truly refreshing and less filling lager beer; Star was also introduced in 45cl bottle and 50cl can; Gulder, your Ultimate Beer was relaunched in a brand new bottle. Ace Passion and Star Radler were also added to our portfolio. Fayrouz and Maltina were also introduced in PET Bottles while Goldberg added 50cl Can to its winning SKUs.”
Celebrated singing sensation, Tuface Idibia andlegendary Juju musician, King Sunny Ade gave exciting performances to entertain the distinguished guests at the elaborate event.
Nigeria Breweries Plc, the pioneer and largest brewing company in Nigeria was incorporated in 1946 and recorded a landmark when the first bottle of Star Lager beer rolled off the bottling lines in its Lagos Brewery in June 1949.
