Dear Shareholders,
2021 was yet another challenging year as we navigated our business through the COVID-19 pandemic. Nonetheless, Thai Beverage Public Company Limited ("ThaiBev" or the "Group") maintained its solid market position and was able to manage to achieve business continuity amid a challenging operating environment and changing consumer preferences. As we continued to perform our duties to the best of our abilities as a total food and beverage group of companies, we also prioritized the safety of our employees and their families, in order to deliver products and services to consumers uninterruptedly, maintain the Group's strong financial position in the long run, as well as play our part in contributing to Thailand's economy.
To reinforce our continued leadership and business sustainability, we prioritized the use of technology to transform our business and enhance operational efficiency. Digital data that were gathered enabled us to manage sales through "area management" by analyzing consumer preferences and behavior. These have strengthened our nimbleness and ability to communicate with consumers, identify new sales channels, and improve the sales staff's efficiency and agility. Moreover, we have placed importance on brand building and innovation by introducing new products which cater to rapidly changing consumer preferences. The adoption of technology, along with our efforts to optimize our business plans and manage costs enabled us to withstand challenges brought about by the pandemic, even though we have been impacted by virus containment measures and the closure of key sales channels. I am thus pleased that ThaiBev delivered a credible performance in FY2021. The Group generated sales revenue of Baht 240,543 million, net profit growth of 4.9% to Baht 27,339 million, and profit attributable to owners of the Company amounting to Baht 24,645 million. We have also maintained our dividend payment policy and the Board of Directors has proposed a total dividend payout of Baht 0.50 per share, which is higher than the previous years and translates into a payout ratio of 51% of attributable profit, totaling Baht 12,559 million.
I would like to thank ThaiBev's Board of Directors, executives, and employees for their steadfast commitment to journeying together with the Group and being adaptable to the dynamic situation to the best of their abilities. I am confident that we will get through this trying period if we pour our hearts into one. We will continue to steer ThaiBev to become a truly stable and sustainable regional beverage company that operates with transparency, good governance and responsibility towards society and the environment.
On behalf of the Board of Directors and executives, I would like to express our gratitude to ThaiBev's shareholders, customers and business partners. We are encouraged by your trust and confidence, and look forward to building on our growth momentum with your continued support.
Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi
Chairman of the Board of Directors