More R&D to help CPF globalise
Agriculture conglomerate Charoen Pokphand Foods (CPF) is intensifying its efforts to become a global food processing company. More emphasis will be put on on research and development of food products and processing, with the focus on the “farm-to-table” strategy.
CPF already has R&D centres at some of its animal feed, animal and
food-processing plants. It spends an average of Bt2 billion (app. €47 million) a
year on R&D – about 2% of sales revenue.
The company spent millions
last year on its Klang, Rayong, shrimp R&D centre. The modern facility, which employs
30 people, is the only one in Southeast Asia dedicated to shrimp.
The
Thai government is also willing to support. At a recent meeting with the
company, Industry Minister Kosit Panpiemras said R&D would create
new, innovative products to drive national economic growth. Kosit said CPF was
eligible for Board of Investment tax incentives.
Furthermore CPF will
expand R&D at its Saraburi plant focusing on food, especially chicken and
the Min Buri plant will concentrate on ready-to-eat meals. The company is also
cross-breeding pigs to develop a leaner breed.
The Saraburi research
centre has 50 staff, including nutritionists, chefs and packaging developers.
This team comes up with about 100 new ideas a year and about eight of those make
it to supermarket shelves.
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