"Lots to Show, Came for Overseas IR" Kim In-gyu, CEO of HiteJinro

First U.S. IR Since CEO Appointment
"Sales, Market Share, and Operating Profit All Increased"
"Confident in 2 Trillion Won Sales This Year"
Plans to Inform Overseas Institutional Investors of Corporate Value Changes

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] "Until now, we couldn't come because we had nothing to present, but the situation has changed." Kim In-gyu, CEO of HiteJinro, visited the U.S. to meet with American institutional investors for the first time since his appointment in 2011. His goal is to have the company's true value properly evaluated, leveraging strengthened dominance in the soju sector and the beer business turning profitable.

On the 17th (local time), Kim told the New York correspondents, "Last year, with the launch of Terra beer and Jinro Is Back soju, sales, operating profit, and market share all grew. To participate in overseas investor relations (IR), sales, operating profit, and market share must be solid, but that was not the case for the past 10 years. It changed from last year, and this year it will change even more."

Last year, HiteJinro (based on the business company) achieved sales of 1.83 trillion won and aims for sales exceeding 2 trillion won this year. The beer business, which has been in deficit for five consecutive years, aims to turn profitable this year. The soju market share, which had fallen to 47% in 2012, rose to the 60% range last year, maintaining its position as the market leader.

Starting in New York on the 18th, Kim plans to meet investors consecutively in Boston on the 19th, Salt Lake City on the 20th, and San Francisco on the 21st. His goal is to increase the proportion of foreign investors from the current level of about 10% to 20%.

Regarding overseas market expansion, Kim stated, "Based on philosophy and history, we will approach the global market as a leading company in alcoholic beverage culture and plan to expand overseas sales, currently at about 150 billion won." He also expressed his ambition, saying, "The Japanese market is the largest, but due to deteriorated Korea-Japan relations, business is difficult, so we will target Southeast Asia and China, approaching overseas markets through cultures where consumers come together, such as food, parties, and sports."