Leading in budget contributions in Nghe An

(Baonghean)2012 marked the second year of production at the Saigon-Song Lam Brewery; the factory produced 88 million liters of beer, generating revenue of 11,069 billion VND, contributing 548 billion VND to the provincial budget, ranking first among the province's largest budget contributors, and receiving a "on-the-spot" commendation from the Provincial People's Committee.

In the final days of 2012, factories increased their production capacity, and the Saigon - Song Lam Brewery was no exception. Nguyen Vo Hanh, an operations technician, said: "This is peak season, so engineers, technicians, and staff all have to overcome weather difficulties to work on time and operate three shifts. Employees earn about 5 million dong per month." Bottles and cans of beer flowed like streams along the conveyor belts, followed by cartons and crates being automatically packed. There were very few workers operating the machinery inside the factory, only the low hum of the machines. But outside, there was a constant stream of vehicles coming and going, and forklifts running continuously to ensure products were delivered to consumers throughout the country.

Construction began in July 2009, and just one year later, the Saigon - Song Lam Brewery in Ru Muou, Nam Dan officially commenced operations, producing its first commercial batch of beer on August 12, 2010. In March 2011, the factory was inaugurated, putting into operation a modern beer production line from Kroness AG - Federal Republic of Germany, representing world-leading beer production technology. The factory has a capacity of 100 million liters of beer per year and is expected to reach 200 million liters per year by 2015. The main products of the factory are canned and bottled beer under the Saigon brand.

Thanks to modern and synchronized investment, the factory's components, including the power plant, the technology plant (storage, raw material processing, brewing, fermentation, and beer filtration), and the bottling plant (including a bottling line with a capacity of 30,000 bottles/hour and a canning line with a capacity of 30,000 cans/hour), have all operated safely and smoothly under the skillful hands and minds of domestic staff and workers after the German experts withdrew. The factory is equipped with a laboratory with modern specialized testing equipment to meet the requirements of SABECO's Technical Board regarding the control of physicochemical parameters and ensuring food safety and hygiene.

After its first "harvesting" season in 2011, Saigon Beer - Song Lam Brewery entered its "ripening" season in 2012 with production capacity exceeding 80%.



Forklifts transport products for distribution at the Saigon - Song Lam Brewery.

The Saigon Beer - Song Lam Brewery is part of the Saigon Beer, Wine and Beverage Corporation's beer industry development strategy, aligning with the overall plan for production capacity development and modernization. The goal is to achieve a beer consumption volume of 1.7-2 billion liters per year by 2015, with 333 canned beer accounting for 40% of the total output. Located in one of the five key production and consumption areas for Saigon Beer, in a strategic position in the North Central region, adjacent to the Nghi Son-Vung Ang key economic zone and bordering the SEBECO Song Lam two-piece can and carton packaging factory, the Saigon Beer - Song Lam Brewery has a significant advantage in increasing production and expanding operations. Currently, the factory provides employment for 155 local workers.

The Saigon - Song Lam Brewery, along with the Hanoi Brewery and the Vida Brewery, are major and relatively stable contributors to Nghe An's revenue. The factory is the result of a collaborative effort between Nghe An and Ho Chi Minh City, and also reflects the affection of those from Nghe An living far from home, and the Saigon Beer, Wine and Beverage Corporation's investment in its second factory in President Ho Chi Minh's hometown.

Chau Lan