Latest news with #Aice
South China Morning Post
25-05-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Study Buddy (Explorer): China's ‘Dairy Godfather' and his booming ice cream empire
Content provided by British Council Read the following text, and answer questions 1-9 below: [1] The story of China's 'Dairy Godfather', who went from an abandoned baby to the head of a 3-billion-yuan (HK$3.25 billion) ice cream empire, is one of resilience and vision. Niu Gensheng, 67, founded the corporate giant Mengniu Dairy and created Aice, an ice cream brand popular across Southeast Asia. [2] Niu was born into poverty in Inner Mongolia, a region of China known for its vast grasslands and deserts. His parents struggled to make ends meet. Unable to care for him, they sold him to a cattle farmer, who adopted him for 50 yuan (HK$54) shortly after he was born. When Niu was eight, his adoptive father lost his money, forcing Niu to sweep the streets and do hard labour with him. Later, both his adoptive parents died. [3] In 1983, Niu became a bottle washer at a local dairy factory, which later became Yili, one of China's leading dairy companies. Over the next decade, he worked his way up to workshop director, gaining a deep knowledge of the dairy production process. [4] By 1992, Niu was promoted to Vice-President of Production and Operations at Yili, where he reportedly earned an annual salary exceeding 1 million yuan (HK$1,086,500). Despite his success, Niu faced rumours and fierce competition at Yili, leading to his resignation. But he did not give up on his dream of building China's largest dairy company. [5] Niu used his experience and resources to launch Mengniu Dairy in 1999. At the time, his former employer, Yili, already had assets worth billions. Niu's unique marketing strategy focused on rural markets, using local dialects in advertisements and low prices to attract customers. [6] By 2004, Mengniu's revenue reached 7.2 billion yuan (HK$7.8 billion). The following year, it surpassed Yili to become China's top dairy brand. After building the Mengniu empire, Niu set his sights on the Southeast Asian market, which many other entrepreneurs had overlooked. In 2015, he launched Aice, an ice cream brand targeting Indonesia's market. [7] Niu adopted the same strategy focused on small profits and high volume, with prices ranging from 900 to 1500 IDR (HK$0.42 to HK$0.70), making 'quality ice cream affordable for everyone'. Aice introduced popular flavours like durian and coconut milk coffee ice cream, catering to local cultural and religious preferences. They also provided small shops with free freezers and electricity subsidies to support local vendors. [8] Today, Aice operates in more than 1,200 districts across Indonesia, with more than three billion yuan in annual revenue, securing its position as Southeast Asia's top ice cream brand. Niu describes his business philosophy as 'not about making the rich more grand, but about allowing the poor to live with dignity.' Niu is also deeply involved in philanthropy, funding initiatives that build schools across China and help children with serious illnesses in Inner Mongolia. Source: South China Morning Post, April 13 Questions 1. In paragraph 1, Aice is … A. the name of a company. B. an ice cream brand. C. an ice cream flavour. D. Niu's nickname. 2. Why did Niu's parents give him away, according to paragraph 2? 3. In paragraph 3, what did Niu do when he first joined the dairy factory? 4. According to paragraph 4, Niu's goal was to … A. become the vice-president of a dairy company. B. earn more than one million yuan every year. C. build China's largest dairy company. D. none of the above 5. In paragraph 5, what geographic areas did Niu's unique marketing strategy focus on? 6. Find a word in paragraph 6 that means 'failed to notice'. 7. Decide whether the following statements about paragraphs 6 and 7 are True, False or the information is Not Given. Fill in ONE circle only for each. (4 marks) (i) Aice is extremely popular with young children and university students in Indonesia. (ii) To help small stores, Aice provided them with freezers and financial help for electricity costs. (iii) Yili was China's top dairy company in 2005. (iv) Aice only offers flavours in Indonesia that are popular with Chinese customers. 8. According to paragraph 8, how does Niu help children in Inner Mongolia? 9. Arrange the following events in Niu's life in chronological order from 1 to 4. (4 marks) Aice is a popular ice cream brand in Southeast Asian countries like Indonesia and the Philippines. Photo: Handout Answers 1. B 2. They struggled to make ends meet and could not take care of him. 3. He washed bottles. 4. C 5. He focused on rural markets. 6. overlooked 7. (i) NG; (ii) T; (iii) F; (iv) F 8. He funds initiatives that help children with serious illnesses in Inner Mongolia. 9. (a) 3; (b) 4; (c) 1; (d) 2
The Sun
29-04-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Aice Strengthens Regional Leadership and Accelerates International Expansion
HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 28 April 2025 - In early 2025, Aice, a leading ice cream brand in Southeast Asia, attracted significant attention from global investors following a new round of investment from major shareholders, including China Mengniu Dairy Group – its controlling shareholder. This capital injection is widely viewed as providing both financial and strategic support for Aice's rapid expansion across Southeast Asia and other new international markets. Strategic Market Positioning: From Indonesian Launch to Regional Leadership Since its overseas launch in 2015, Aice has rapidly established itself as a pioneer in Southeast Asia's ice cream industry. With annual revenues exceeding RMB3 billion, Aice now holds the leading market share in Indonesia, ranks second in the Philippines, and continues to strengthen its position in Vietnam. Aice's success is rooted in its precise regional market strategy. Following extensive market research, Aice identified Indonesia as its initial overseas market, targeting local demand for affordable, high-quality products. To address cross-border logistics challenges and offer its products at competitive prices, Aice established three local factories to ensure it can flexibly and rapidly adapt to local market preferences, optimize costs, and build a robust local distribution network. Within just three years of entering Indonesia, Aice's annual sales soared from RMB20 million to RMB1.2 billion. The Company has since expanded successfully into the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Timor-Leste, making it one of Southeast Asia's fastest-growing companies and a benchmark for Chinese F&B brands going global. In 2024, its factory in the Philippines officially began operations, further enhancing its regional manufacturing footprint and enabling broader distribution across Southeast Asian and beyond. Innovating Products, Channels, and Marketing: Building Differentiated Competitive Advantages Aice has established strong competitive barriers and captured consumer mindshare through innovation in product development, distribution channels, and marketing. Guided by its philosophy of delivering 'healthy, innovative, quality products with value,' Aice conducts in-depth research into consumer habits and local dietary preferences, driving continuous innovation in product formats and flavours. Each year, it has launched multiple best-selling products, generating sales of over RMB100 million. Upon initial launch in Indonesia, Aice strategically focused on small and medium-sized retailers, providing free ice cabinets to communities in more than 100 cities. This approach secured extensive retail coverage of its products, activated previously untapped market demand, and differentiating Aice from international competitors, resulting in rapid market share gains. Through storefront branding and sponsorships of major sporting events, Aice consistently increased brand awareness and visibility throughout the region. Capital-Driven Acceleration for Global Expansion Following this round of financing, Aice plans to deepen its presence in existing Southeast Asian markets, further strengthening its supply chain and brand competitiveness, while actively expanding into new international markets. As a key pillar of Mengniu's 'One Core, Two Wings' strategy, Aice has served as Mengniu's strategic bridgehead in Southeast Asia, achieving significant milestones. This investment from Mengniu underscores its strong confidence in Aice's in international growth potential and reflects its commitment to supporting it with additional resources and capital. According to industry sources, while maintaining robust organic growth, Aice recently engaged with global investors to diversify its funding channels and accelerate its international expansion. Backed by a proven overseas track record and new capital, Aice is poised for a new phase of accelerated growth, leveraging Southeast Asia as a strategic steppingstone to broader international opportunities. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Associated Press
28-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Aice Strengthens Regional Leadership and Accelerates International Expansion
HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 28 April 2025 - In early 2025, Aice, a leading ice cream brand in Southeast Asia, attracted significant attention from global investors following a new round of investment from major shareholders, including China Mengniu Dairy Group – its controlling shareholder. This capital injection is widely viewed as providing both financial and strategic support for Aice's rapid expansion across Southeast Asia and other new international markets. Strategic Market Positioning: From Indonesian Launch to Regional Leadership Since its overseas launch in 2015, Aice has rapidly established itself as a pioneer in Southeast Asia's ice cream industry. With annual revenues exceeding RMB3 billion, Aice now holds the leading market share in Indonesia, ranks second in the Philippines, and continues to strengthen its position in Vietnam. Aice's success is rooted in its precise regional market strategy. Following extensive market research, Aice identified Indonesia as its initial overseas market, targeting local demand for affordable, high-quality products. To address cross-border logistics challenges and offer its products at competitive prices, Aice established three local factories to ensure it can flexibly and rapidly adapt to local market preferences, optimize costs, and build a robust local distribution network. Within just three years of entering Indonesia, Aice's annual sales soared from RMB20 million to RMB1.2 billion. The Company has since expanded successfully into the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Timor-Leste, making it one of Southeast Asia's fastest-growing companies and a benchmark for Chinese F&B brands going global. In 2024, its factory in the Philippines officially began operations, further enhancing its regional manufacturing footprint and enabling broader distribution across Southeast Asian and beyond. Innovating Products, Channels, and Marketing: Building Differentiated Competitive Advantages Aice has established strong competitive barriers and captured consumer mindshare through innovation in product development, distribution channels, and marketing. Guided by its philosophy of delivering 'healthy, innovative, quality products with value,' Aice conducts in-depth research into consumer habits and local dietary preferences, driving continuous innovation in product formats and flavours. Each year, it has launched multiple best-selling products, generating sales of over RMB100 million. Upon initial launch in Indonesia, Aice strategically focused on small and medium-sized retailers, providing free ice cabinets to communities in more than 100 cities. This approach secured extensive retail coverage of its products, activated previously untapped market demand, and differentiating Aice from international competitors, resulting in rapid market share gains. Through storefront branding and sponsorships of major sporting events, Aice consistently increased brand awareness and visibility throughout the region. Capital-Driven Acceleration for Global Expansion Following this round of financing, Aice plans to deepen its presence in existing Southeast Asian markets, further strengthening its supply chain and brand competitiveness, while actively expanding into new international markets. As a key pillar of Mengniu's 'One Core, Two Wings' strategy, Aice has served as Mengniu's strategic bridgehead in Southeast Asia, achieving significant milestones. This investment from Mengniu underscores its strong confidence in Aice's in international growth potential and reflects its commitment to supporting it with additional resources and capital. According to industry sources, while maintaining robust organic growth, Aice recently engaged with global investors to diversify its funding channels and accelerate its international expansion. Backed by a proven overseas track record and new capital, Aice is poised for a new phase of accelerated growth, leveraging Southeast Asia as a strategic steppingstone to broader international #Aice The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Zawya
28-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Aice Strengthens Regional Leadership and Accelerates International Expansion
HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 28 April 2025 - In early 2025, Aice, a leading ice cream brand in Southeast Asia, attracted significant attention from global investors following a new round of investment from major shareholders, including China Mengniu Dairy Group – its controlling shareholder. This capital injection is widely viewed as providing both financial and strategic support for Aice's rapid expansion across Southeast Asia and other new international markets. Strategic Market Positioning: From Indonesian Launch to Regional Leadership Since its overseas launch in 2015, Aice has rapidly established itself as a pioneer in Southeast Asia's ice cream industry. With annual revenues exceeding RMB3 billion, Aice now holds the leading market share in Indonesia, ranks second in the Philippines, and continues to strengthen its position in Vietnam. Aice's success is rooted in its precise regional market strategy. Following extensive market research, Aice identified Indonesia as its initial overseas market, targeting local demand for affordable, high-quality products. To address cross-border logistics challenges and offer its products at competitive prices, Aice established three local factories to ensure it can flexibly and rapidly adapt to local market preferences, optimize costs, and build a robust local distribution network. Within just three years of entering Indonesia, Aice's annual sales soared from RMB20 million to RMB1.2 billion. The Company has since expanded successfully into the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Timor-Leste, making it one of Southeast Asia's fastest-growing companies and a benchmark for Chinese F&B brands going global. In 2024, its factory in the Philippines officially began operations, further enhancing its regional manufacturing footprint and enabling broader distribution across Southeast Asian and beyond. Innovating Products, Channels, and Marketing: Building Differentiated Competitive Advantages Aice has established strong competitive barriers and captured consumer mindshare through innovation in product development, distribution channels, and marketing. Guided by its philosophy of delivering "healthy, innovative, quality products with value," Aice conducts in-depth research into consumer habits and local dietary preferences, driving continuous innovation in product formats and flavours. Each year, it has launched multiple best-selling products, generating sales of over RMB100 million. Upon initial launch in Indonesia, Aice strategically focused on small and medium-sized retailers, providing free ice cabinets to communities in more than 100 cities. This approach secured extensive retail coverage of its products, activated previously untapped market demand, and differentiating Aice from international competitors, resulting in rapid market share gains. Through storefront branding and sponsorships of major sporting events, Aice consistently increased brand awareness and visibility throughout the region. Capital-Driven Acceleration for Global Expansion Following this round of financing, Aice plans to deepen its presence in existing Southeast Asian markets, further strengthening its supply chain and brand competitiveness, while actively expanding into new international markets. As a key pillar of Mengniu's "One Core, Two Wings" strategy, Aice has served as Mengniu's strategic bridgehead in Southeast Asia, achieving significant milestones. This investment from Mengniu underscores its strong confidence in Aice's in international growth potential and reflects its commitment to supporting it with additional resources and capital. According to industry sources, while maintaining robust organic growth, Aice recently engaged with global investors to diversify its funding channels and accelerate its international expansion. Backed by a proven overseas track record and new capital, Aice is poised for a new phase of accelerated growth, leveraging Southeast Asia as a strategic steppingstone to broader international #Aice The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. China Mengniu Dairy Company
South China Morning Post
13-04-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
China's ‘Dairy Godfather' rises from unwanted baby to head US$410 million ice cream empire
The rise of China's so-called Dairy Godfather, from being an abandoned baby to becoming the head of a three-billion-yuan (US$410 million) ice cream empire, is a story of true resilience and vision. Advertisement Niu Gensheng, 67, is the founder of the corporate giant Mengniu Dairy, and the creator of Aice, an ice cream brand popular across Southeast Asia. Born into poverty in Inner Mongolia, a northern region of China known for its vast grasslands and deserts, Niu's parents struggled to make ends meet. Unable to care for him, they sold him to a cattle farmer for 50 yuan (US$7) shortly after he was born, and the farmer adopted him. At the age of eight, Niu's adoptive father lost his assets after a political row, forcing Niu to sweep streets and do hard labour with him. A short time later, both of his adoptive parents passed away. Advertisement In 1983, Niu started as a bottle washer at a local dairy factory, which later became Yili, one of China's leading dairy companies.
