Nestle pumping RM100m into Shah Alam facility

[Vivian]

"NESTLE (Malaysia Bhd) is pumping RM100 million new investment to strengthen capabilities of its production complex in Shah Alam, Selangor.

Already a synonymous name with nutritional food in Malaysia, the investment is to improve technology and manufacturing facilities at the complex.

Half of the RM100 million is going towards Nestle's new line for manufacturing of instant noodle while the rest would be spent on upgrading its regional production complex, also in Shah Alam.

The new instant noodle line will use an air-dried technology to manufacture instant noodles that contain up to 80 per cent less fat and about 25 per cent less sodium.

Parent company Nestle SA chairman and chief executive officer Peter Brabeck-Lemathe, who was in town over the weekend, said the additional investment signals the global food company's long-term commitment in Malaysia. Nestle has been in Malaysia since 1912.

He spoke at launch of the air-dried noodle line in Shah Alam on Saturday, which was officiated by Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry Ng Lip Yong.

Brabeck-Lemathe also said that the group's decision to continuously invest in Malaysia has plenty to do with Nestle Malaysia's position as its centre for halal excellence.

"Nestle Malaysia is not only the biggest producer of Milo in the world but also the largest producer of halal products in the Nestle world, exporting to more than 40 countries with total turnover of more than RM3.3 billion in 2006."

He said the global market for halal food is growing, and Nestle is talking to British supermarket chain Tesco to work on some halal food products.

Nestle Malaysia managing director Sullivan O'Carrol said the company has a specific programme for 1,200 small and

medium enterprises to share with them good manufacturing process and how to go about getting halal accreditation.

Meanwhile, the air-dried technology (where noodles are air dried instead of fried) for Nestle's instant noodles promise to provide customers with healthier instant noodle options.

"The new line is also a first for any Nestle market globally, and the process is unique to Nestle," said Brabeck-Letmathe.

An estimated 25 per cent of "Maggi" noodle products will be made using this new technology, which will cater to domestic and export markets such as Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines.

In Malaysia, Maggi is the market leader for instant noodles, and more than 1.3 million packs of Maggi two-minute noodles are sold every day."

By Roziana Hamsawi (bt@nstp.com.my @ www.btimes.com.my)
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_New...l.xml/Article/

Related websites:-

Nestle (Malaysia) Berhad (www.nestle.com.my)