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Hite-Jinro Group is a leading alcoholic beverage maker in Korea. The history of Hite-Jinro Group represents the history of Korean alcoholic beverages. Jinro, the oldest soju company in Korea, was established in 1924 and Hite was established in 1933 as the first beer company in Korea. HITE, the leader in the domestic beer market and Jinro, the No.1 soju company in Korea merged in 2005. In addition, Hite-Jinro Group launched a holding company system in 2008, and successfully re-listed Jinro in stocks in 2009.
With the vision of becoming a global company, it plans to grow Hite and Chamisul into global brands while also diversifying into mineral water and whisky business. Jinro, founded in 1924, is the top company in domestic soju market since 1970. It has kept its position for the last 40 years in a highly competitive market.
Chamjinisulro, the soju brand, was launched in 1998 in Korea to further expand its market share. Chamisul Fresh launched in August 2006 and Jinro J launched in September 2008 are carrying on the tradition representing Korean soju.
Chamisul celebrated its 10th Anniversary in 2008, by when it had sold 14 billion bottles. Distillation technology of Jinro has received various international awards.
Jinro has been the top ranker in the international distilled spirits market for seven consecutive years. It has won the Gold Prize in six categories at the 11th International Spirits Fair, the Gold Prize in eight categories at the 18th Mond Selection, a Grand Prize to Ilpoom Jinro at the 2008 Monde Selection, and a Grand Prize to Jinro Donguibogam Bokbunjajoo at the 2009 Monde Selection. All of these awards have proven the international reputation of Jinro’s distillation.
Hite, the first beer company in Korea, became the No.1 beer in Korea three years after the launch. In 1999, Hite’s market share passed the 50% mark even amid fierce competition. The company ranked top in the National Customer Satisfaction Index (NCSI) in 2009 for 10 consecutive years. NCSI, developed by the Korea Productivity Center and University of Michigan, and directly evaluated by customers, is the most prestigious award in Korea that measures product competitiveness and customer satisfaction.
Hite is currently the No.1 domestic beer company and its annual revenue has surpassed the 1 trillion KRW mark for the first time in 2008. This great accomplishment was made possible by Hite’s superior product quality and globally recognized brand power.
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