DESPITE the intense competition in China’s beverage industry, the three top brands from the Qingdao Beverage Group, including Laoshan mineral water, Huadong wines and Tsingtao wines, have become a new power in the domestic industry.

    After 12 years of hard work, the group has now become one of the country’s beverage companies, focusing on mineral water and wines.

    Originating in 1905, the Laoshan Mineral Water Co. Ltd. was China’s first producer of natural mineral water. It has been served especially for national leaders and foreign guests at State banquets since the 1950s and exported to countries and regions such as Japan, Britain, the United States, Canada and Panama. Its export volume has been the biggest among other China-made water for years. Targeting becoming the Evian of China, the company now has five production bases in Qingdao and has gained many awards for its achievements, becoming the country’s top high-end mineral water brand.

    Established in 1985, Huadong Winery Co. Ltd. is one of first companies in Qingdao to be invested in by foreign companies. China’s first champagne, whisky and brandy were produced by the company. The Huadong wines mainly served the high-end market in the country, while the Qingdao wines were for medium customers. The company invested 300 million yuan to build a large grape base and a Bally Chateau in Qingdao. In 2009, it was named as one of the “Famous Chinese Brands.”

    The fast development of the company will lead to a new growth of the city’s beverage industry, becoming an influential brand in the country.

    (Wang Yuanyuan, Qingbao)