Seychelles Breweries launches activities for golden anniversary |03 February 2022

Unveiling the logo

Seychelles Breweries Ltd, the leading beverage company in Seychelles, yesterday launched its calendar of activities leading up to its 50 year celebrations on July 10, 2022.

The launch of activities for the Golden anniversary took place at the company’s headquarters, O’Brien House, Le Rocher with the unveiling of the 50 year celebration logo by staff members Sylvia Arrisol and Mary Anne Ernesta.

Present were the company’s managing director, Conor Neiland; finance director Devesh Dutt; commercial director Bertrand Belle; supply director Yan Brestovansky; HR director Shirley Louise and other staff of the company.

Keeping the activities going until the end of the year and spilling over into 2023, as a surprise for the different stages in the celebrations, Mr Belle said that they will include a weekend feast, memorabilia with the company logo among which will be selected limited editions, launch of new products, including stories on the history of Seychelles Breweries in the media, among many other planned activities.

It was a handful of entrepreneurs and innovators who created Seychelles Breweries Ltd over five decades ago, at a time when the population was 65,000 inhabitants and the tourism industry non-existent. With the infrastructure up and ready by July 10, 1972, the first Seybrew Lager by the company was launched on September 1, 1972, the same year the Seychelles International Airport was opened and Queen Elizabeth of England made her visit.

Seychelles Breweries Ltd produces a range of alcohol-based beverages and carbonated soft drinks in terms of the Seybrew and Seypearl brand among which some like the Seybrew lager and Seypearl Ginger Ale have won world recognition awards. The range of products produced by the factory includes the Seybrew lager, EKU, Slow Turtle Cider, Guiness, Smirnoff Black, Smirnoff Red, SeyPearl range and drinks from the Coca Cola family.

The company, which started with a small labour force back in the old days, now employs 150 staff among whom 90% are Seychellois. There are 1400 share holders.

Addressing the staff, Mr Neiland said that Seychelles Breweries is part of the social fabric of Seychelles and they have made a significant contribution to the national economy.

He noted that they are equally proud of the fact that the Seychelles Pension Fund holds a substantial stake in the company’s business and in doing so supports tens of thousands of pensioners across the country.

He added that company will continue to support local initiatives and groups in many ways, whether in water projects for farmers among other issues to sustain the environment including tackling issues like underage drinking.

He noted that it is incumbent on them as a leading business in Seychelles to give back to the community and they are committed to continue to do so.

“Our ambition is to be the best performing, most trusted consumer goods company in Seychelles and our purpose is to celebrate life every day, everywhere. Going forward for the next 50 years we’re committed as a business to continue to grow,” Mr Neiland said.

He noted that the company was fortunate to have partnered with Diageo, one of the top alcohol manufacturing companies in the world and also a key shareholder. He said that the company will continue to innovate across its portfolio and bring new news to its consumers, whether it be to local or international tastes, and whether it be across beer, soft drinks, or spirits.

He added that the 50 year celebrations is the laid foundation for the next fifty years.

For his part , Mr Belle said that the company’s flagship brands, Seybrew and Seypearl, are synonymous with the country in terms that they often show up in family pictures and holiday snaps, for Seychellois and tourists alike, including being intertwined with the country’s development and economic growth.

He stated that the company spends R60 million annually on new equipment to modernise the brewery.

He added that the company invested in new storage tanks and in addition, new equipment on the canning line are being installed.

He said that the successful journey of the company has reached a point where they can seriously look at developing the export market.

“It is a journey of which we are proud, of which the whole country can be proud – for we have accomplished it together. We produced it. You bought it. You kept us going. You gave us the belief to innovate. You backed us when we tried out Vann Swet. You backed us when we brought new flavours to Seypearl,” said Mr Neiland, who added that they are proud of the progress made and the relationship they share with the country.

He thanked the distributors, retailers, hotels, restaurants, cafés, partners and most importantly the loyal consumers, for contributing to the company’s success.

During the gathering, ‘En pti Seybrew’ – a new song composed for the 50 year celebrations by Joseph Sinon, Clive Camille and Elijah – was sung by the three artists for the audience.

Patrick Joubert

Photos by Thomas Meriton