Alcohol, Estonia, Markets and Companies

Smaga left his position in the Saku Brewery on Tuesday due to the fact that his labour contract expired and also for family reasons.

“At first, I would like to express our sincerest gratitude to Ireneusz Smaga for his efforts, contribution and dedication to Saku’s development,” said chairman of the Saku Brewery and President of Carlsberg Baltic Tomas Kucinskas.

Kucinskas noted that he is convinced that Tennilä, taking into account his great experience in leading beer and beverages industries and management skills, is the right choice for the Saku Brewery. “Saku is among three enterprises with the best reputation in Estonia and I think that it is one of the strongest business organisations, not only in Estonia, but in the entire Baltic States. We will bring a person with international business management experience in order to continue developing Saku with full potential,” he said.

Tennilä joins Saku, having previously worked for Sinebrychoff in Finland since 2001.

Saku Olletehas (Saku Brewery) has been established in 1820, and is currently the largest producer of beer and other beverages in Estonia, with 46% share in beer market. Saku's core brands are Saku Originaal (the most popular beer on the Estonian market), Kuld, Rock, On Ice etc. Saku Brewery is also the market leader in product development, providing local consumers with an increasing number of contemporary and new domestic beer products as well as other beverages – cider KISS, ZIP cocktails, water "Vichy Classique" and "Vichy Viva Fresh", energy drinks "Battery" and "Traffic", ice teas, etc. Carlsberg Group through Carlsberg Estonia Holding is the majority shareholder of Saku Brewery (over 92% stake).

Carlsberg Baltic is a clear leader of the Baltic beer market with a 44% consolidated share, offering a wide range of beer brands and other beverages.

Carlsberg Baltic is managing 3 biggest Baltic brewing companies – Svyturys-Utenos alus in Lithuania, Aldaris in Latvia and Saku in Estonia.