VB International Co., Ltd. was established in Hong Kong in 1985 as a general trading company. Goods traded ranged from construction materials, to garments, to food and much more. We played a fundamental role during the construction of Hong Kong’s new Chek Lap Kok Airport by working together with Gardner Merchant Kelvin to provide food, furniture and other living essentials to the 25,000 workers on the project.

In addition, we were the sole importer and distributor for Kloster Beer from Germany, Singha Beer and Bangkok Beer from Thailand.

After the handover in 1997, the economic climate in Hong Kong changed for the worse. As a result, VBI decided to move its headquarters to Thailand. In 2000 VB International (Thailand) Co., Ltd. was established with a base in Chiangmai, in the North of Thailand.

With a strong desire to continue in the trading business, we sought out what products we could offer our international clients that are specific to this region. Chiangmai is renowned for being the handicraft and home décor center of Thailand. The abundance of natural resources and skilled craftsmen allow for this. It is for this reason we have shifted our focus in this direction.

SABU-SABU was founded in 2003 with the goal of producing the finest quality hand-made natural body care products using only the best ingredients from around the world. Having extensively researched the various properties and benefits of essential oils, we have created a range of signature scents that not only provide an appealing aroma, but are therapeutic as well. We have come a long way since conception and our product line has extensively expanded to cover just about every product needed to care for the body, the skin as well as the senses.

Virginia Bird
Managing Director
Virginia Bird was born and raised in Bangkok, Thailand. The daughter of a prominent American businessman, Willis H. Bird, and Thai housewife. Virginia was exposed to the business world from a young age. Her first job was with her father at his stock brokerage firm, Bird & Company Ltd. In 1977, she moved to Hong Kong where she worked as the Assistant Managing Director of Acotex (Far East) Ltd., a garment accessory manufacturer and distributor. She worked there until 1985 when VBI was established.

Francesco Marchitelli
Director & Web Designer
In addition to working with VBI, Francesco Marchitelli operates a World Wide Web Designing company known as FranTech.

Marisa Marchitelli
Director & Photographer
In addition to working with VBI, Marisa Marchitelli operates a photography studio in Chiangmai and offers a full range of photographic and graphic design services. Her main area of focus is brochure development and design, corporate identity, and product/location photography. Additional services include portraiture and stock photography. She has studied photography and film in both the US and Europe and has received several photography awards.