Sitemap

Vladimir Novaković, Apatinska Brewery CEO And Molson Coors MD

Keeping Pace With Global Trends And Local Customs

The fact that the Serbian beer industry keeps up with global trends and complies with international standards does not mean that it is turning away from its local customs and market. On the contrary

Vladimir Novaković, CEO of Apatinska Brewery and Managing Director for Serbia And Montenegro, is a former top athlete turned successful businessman whose past and present careers suggest that he has what it takes to lead a big company.

You took over as CEO of Apatinska Brewery only a few months ago but you have vast managerial experience in this sector. What do you see as the company’s greatest challenges in 2017?

Our objective for next year is the same as it always has been: to be the First choice for our customers and consumers. The drop in purchasing power has affected all trade. Over the past few years, the beer market has seen a fall of 2.8 per cent a year, varying from a sharp 11 per cent drop in 2008/2009 to four per cent growth in 2014/2015. The offer of more affordable brands has visibly increased. The market is slowly recuperating and it will be interesting to observe how it develops in our country and in the region over the next twelve months.

Apatinska Brewery is part of Molson Coors, a Canadian-American company renowned for its high business standards. To what extent are these standards applicable in Serbia and in the region?

When we became a member of the Molson Coors family we added over two centuries of international experience to our 260-year-old tradition. Although every country is different when it comes to consumers’ lifestyle, consumption culture and habits, Apatinska Brewery, like all other members of the Molson Coors Group, adheres to the Group’s internal rules, high standards and business procedures and to local legislation. We don’t care only about what we do but also how we do it. We will always maintain the highest standards in our work.

When we became a member of the Molson Coors family we added over two centuries of international experience to our 260 year-old tradition

There is great competition in the regional beer market. What is your opinion of the market? Do you foresee any consolidation of brewers?

A concentration of capital has been happening for years both globally and regionally. This trend affects the local market in terms of product accessibility, consumer habits, product pricing. This is also a factor that makes this industry dynamic and innovative. Until recently our market offered only a dozen brands of beer with almost identical characteristics. Today, we have over 100 active brands on the market and consumers are no longer indifferent when it comes to the type, taste, quality or price of beer.

More demanding consumers, globalisation and international standards have boosted the development of craft brewing and the emergence of small craft breweries worldwide over the past few years. There is also an increasing demand for different and unique tastes characteristic of a specific region and that cannot be found everywhere. I believe the market will be developing in this direction in the future.

Molson Coors has been acquiring breweries worldwide over the past few years. Where does Apatinska Brewery stand in the Molson Coors system?

Each country has its place in Molson Coors and each company has its local beers and local brewing traditions. For us, it is important that we keep developing our 260-year-old tradition, our passion for beer brewing and the quality of our products so that we are the customers and consumers’ first choice. We want to continue to delight them. Although acquisitions do affect us, we have remained true to our values and I believe that our consumers appreciate this.

Nikola Pejović, Umka Cardboard Mill General Manager

Sustainability and Quality as Foundations of Trust

The Umka Cardboard Mill boasts a rich tradition dating all the way back to 1939, when it was first established to produce paper and...

Miodrag Kostić Endowment

Palace of Science Welcomes Visitors

Thanks to Miodrag Kostić’s gift to the Serbian society that’s worth over 25 million euros, an area of 5,500m² in one of Belgrade’s most...

dm drogerie

CSR Marks Milestone Year for dm

Retail chain dm drogerie markt, a leader in corporate social responsibility in Serbia, concluded its anniversary year with numerous humanitarian activities and monetary and...

Kathrine Decorzant, general manager, JTI Adriatica

Benchmark for Success

JTI represents one of the largest Japanese investments in Serbia and the country’s leading tobacco company, which has been recognised as a Top Employer...

European Motorcycle Sales Surge in 2024

In 2024, Europe's five largest motorcycle markets saw a notable increase in sales, fueled by the demand for urban...

A New Front in the Trade War

President Donald Trump’s decision to impose 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports is stirring fresh tensions, particularly with...

Austrian Business Cooperation in Serbia

The annual survey by Advantage Austria on the business climate in Serbia for 2024 confirms the stability and growth...

The Hermitage Days are Being Held Again in Belgrade in 2025

The Hermitage Days in Serbia represent a unique international cultural project that will take place from February 19 to...

Djokovic into Australian Open Semifinals After Victory Over Alcaraz

The best Serbian tennis player, Novak Djokovic, secured his place in the Australian Open semifinals after an incredibly thrilling...