In Romania, the beer sector makes important contributions to the state budget, as Romanians like to drink beer, especially in the hot season.

Three expats and one Romanian run the largest four beer producers on the Romanian market: their companies make sure Romanians satisfy their thirst with a cold beer. These four companies control some 80% of the local market.

See their pictures at the end of the article.

Igor Tikhonov – president of Ursus Breweries (SABMiller)

Igor Tikhonov took over as president of Ursus Brweries, SABMiller’s Romanian subsidiary, in January 2014.Tikhonov has been working with SABMiller since 2001 and held several positions within the group. Before joining the Romanian team, he was SABMiller’s general manager in Slovakia. His LinkedIn profile here.

Ursus Breweries saw its sales increasing by 12% in 2013, to some EUR 320 million. It also recorded a small profit of around EUR 0.3 million. Ursus Breweries’ brands are: URSUS, Timisoreana, Ciucas, Stejar, Azuga, Redd's, Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Grolsch and Pilsner Urquell.

• Onno Rombouts - managing director of Heineken Romania

Beer producer Heineken appointed Dutch Onno Rombouts to lead its Romanian subsidiary in June 2012. Before joining the local division, Rombouts led the Asian Pacific division as managing Director Export and Director Regional Commerce. He holds a Master of Science (MSc) in Business/Managerial Economics from the Erasmus University in Rotterdam. His entire LinkedIn profile here.

Heineken Romania’s sales declined 4.4% in 2013, to EUR 253 million, while its profit went down to EUR 36 million. The company has four breweries in Romania, in Miercurea Ciuc, Craiova, Constanta and Targu Mures.

• Lucian Ghinea – general manager of Bergenbier

Lucian Ghinea has been general manager of Bergenbier since October 2012. In late-January this year, he was also elected president of Romania’s Brewers Association, replacing Dutchman Onno Rombouts, Heineken Romania’s managing director.

Bergenbier, Romania’s third largest beer producer, is part of North-American group Molson Coors. The company ended 2013 with almost EUR 100 million sales and EUR 23 million losses. It currently operates a beer factory near Ploiesti.

• Hezy Ovadia – president of United Romanian Breweries Bereprod (URBB)

Hezy Ovadia has been the president of United Romanian Breweries Bereprod (URBB) since January 2011. Prior to this position, he was CEO of Neviot Teva Hagalil Ltd. for 7 years. Ovadia has been working in the FMCG sector and has over 20 years of experience. He holds an EMBA in Business Management from the University in Tel Aviv. His LinkedIn profile here.

URBB produces brands like Tuborg, Carlsberg, Skol, Holsten, Guinness and Graninin on the refreshment beverages segment. It posted a turnover of some EUR 57 million in 2013, according to data from the Ministry of Finance.

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com