Launch of Suntory Brand Oolong Tea "TEA+ Oolong Tea" in Thailand

As a new effort in Southeast Asia, Suntory Beverage & Food Limited will launch “TEA+ Oolong Tea” in Thailand, the first Suntory oolong tea brand to be sold in the country, in 500 ml plastic bottles through Tipco F&B Co., Ltd. (President: Ekaphol Pongstabhon; based in Bangkok, Thailand; 50% owned by Suntory Beverage & Food Limited; hereinafter “Tipco”).

Suntory Beverage & Food has noticed the rise in health consciousness among Southeast Asian consumers and has developed tea brands with a focus on health value. We released “MYTEA Oolong Tea” in Indonesia in May 2013 and “TEA+ Oolong Tea” in Vietnam in August. Now we will leverage Tipco’s marketing knowhow in Thailand and the knowledge of soft drinks Suntory has cultivated to launch “TEA+ Oolong Tea,”, an oolong tea that suits the palates of Thai consumers, in Thailand’s promising RTD tea beverage market (70% growth from 2010 to 2012).

We have made three types—Non-Sugar, Original and Gardenia Lemon—for the Thai tea beverage market, which has a wealth of diverse flavors that consumers enjoy.

In the future we will actively work to spread Suntory brands in Thailand as we further accelerate our global strategy by maximizing synergy between group companies in Japan, Europe, Oceania, Asia and elsewhere.
Overview of Tipco

Company Name
Tipco F&B Co., Ltd.
HQ Location
Bangkok, Thailand
President
Ekaphol Pongstabhon
Year Established
1989
No. of Employees
approx. 580 (as of Aug. 2013)
Business
Production and sale of soft drinks in Thailand
Main Products
Tipco, Squeeze (100% fruit juice beverage), Cool (fruit flavored beverage), Aura (mineral water)