For nearly three decades, Mr. Ti Sophana – fondly known as Pu Ti among his colleagues– has been a pillar of knowledge, mentorship and inspiration at HEINEKEN Cambodia. From his beginnings as a university lecturer to becoming a cornerstone of the brewery, his unwavering dedication to teaching, leadership and people’s development is one to remember. 

Sophana talks about his remarkable journey in a special video to commemorate the occasion. Watch Sophana’s story on HEINEKEN Cambodia’s Facebook page. 

Sophana’s passion for the brewing industry was ignited during his studies at the Higher Institute of Food and Flavour Industries in Bulgaria, where he specialised in the Technology of Microbiological and Fermentation Products with a focus on beer and non-alcoholic beverages. Upon his graduation in 1992, he returned to Cambodia with a dream: to use his expertise to inspire the next generation and contribute to his country’s development. This dream led him to the classroom, where he began teaching food processing at one of Cambodia’s leading institutes in the faculty of chemical and food engineering.

“I didn’t just want to teach technical skills; I wanted my students to see brewing as both an art and a science, to feel the pride and passion behind crafting quality beer,” he reflects.

In 1996, Sophana transitioned from academia to industry, joining what was then Cambodia Brewery Limited (CBL), now HEINEKEN Cambodia. It was a leap of faith driven by his growing fascination with the brewing process and his expertise. 

But his journey wasn’t without challenges. Fluent in Khmer and Russian, Sophana faced a significant language barrier with English – the primary language used for technical documents and communication with global trainers and suppliers. Unwavering, he tackled this obstacle with strong determination.

“I prepared critical lessons in Khmer to ensure everyone understood the production process and machine operations. But I also knew I had to master English to incorporate global standards into our brewery,” he recalls.

Three years of persistence paid off. Sophana not only overcame the language barrier but also became a representative of HEINEKEN Cambodia, visiting over 10 HEINEKEN breweries worldwide, including those in the Netherlands, Belgium, Ireland, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, China, Spain and Vietnam. These experiences enriched his expertise, which he brought back to develop the next generation of brewers, setting a new benchmark for excellence.

Sophana’s influence within HEINEKEN Cambodia runs deep. Many of the company’s current brewing experts began their journeys under his guidance, some as his students from his teaching days. 

“Seeing them grow, succeed, and contribute to the industry – it’s the most rewarding part of my career,” he shares with pride.

All colleagues affectionately call him Pu Ti, a term that reflects the respect, humility and reliability he exudes. These qualities did not go unnoticed. In 2003, the management team invited him to join the Human Resources function, where he could further pursue his passion for people development. Taking on increasingly senior roles, he was eventually appointed Human Resource Director, a role he held until his retirement in 2018.

Retirement didn’t mark the end of Sophana’s contributions to HEINEKEN Cambodia, he stayed on to take on the role as SHE (Safety, Health and Environment) Manager, a role that aligns with his enduring commitment to people.

Sophana’s journey stands as a powerful testament to the transformative impact of one individual. From mentoring students in a classroom to shaping the careers of countless brewers and leaders, his legacy is one of love, learning, and leadership.

Thank you, Pu Ti, for nearly 30 years of dedication. You will always be HEINEKEN Cambodia’s Teacher for Life.

HEINEKEN Cambodia currently employs over 700 people across the country while supporting a further 66,000 jobs nationwide, according to a socio-economic impact report conducted by impact measurement consultancy, Steward Redqueen, to study the company’s contribution to local society and the Cambodian economy.

The report was presented by HEINEKEN’s Regional President Asia Pacific, Jacco van der Linden to Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet and during a recent visit to mark the brewer’s 30 years of contributions to the Kingdom.