Executive
Interview
Insight
Asia
JJ-Muntons invests
in ASEAN for ASEAN
J
oint venture JJ-Muntons celebrated the official opening of its
impressive new 3,000sqm manufacturing facility at the IEAT Free
Zone Area at Hemaraj Chonburi Industrial Estate, Thailand on April
27, 2016.
The new company JJ-Muntons (Thailand) Ltd, a 50:50 joint venture
between Muntons, UK, a leading malted ingredients manufacturer,
and Jebsen & Jessen, a leading distributor of nutrition and life
science ingredients in South East Asia, invested US$17.5 million in
the 7,000 tonne annual capacity facility features one of the largest
vacuum driers ever built. The JV is set to become Asia’s preferred
supplier of premium specialty malted ingredients to the food &
beverage industries.
The site is technologically supported by its own strong Quality
Assurance facility, a dedicated Muntons PLC Regional Innovation
Center as well as Jebsen & Jessen Ingredient’s Regional Application
laboratory in Bangkok.
“This joint underscores Jebsen & Jessen (SEA)’s strategic desire to play
a greater role in the value chain of the products and services that
we provide to the market,” said Jebsen & Jessen (SEA) Chairman,
Heinrich Jessen. “It is a formidable combination of four critical
factors: first, the best-in-kind technology, quality raw materials and
global brand from Muntons; second, the extensive market access,
distribution network and integrated operations know-how from
Jebsen & Jessen (SEA); third, our shared commitment to invest and
grow here; and fourth, the attractiveness of Thailand as a regional
manufacturing and logistics hub.”
For, Marc Deschamps, Regional Managing Director of Jebsen &
Jessen Ingredients, the facility holds great significance: “This is a
very important investment ‘in ASEAN for ASEAN’. The site which is
located near Bangkok’s deep sea port is a hub for South East Asia
with domestic and export transport facilities by road, air and sea.
Customers can enjoy fast and efficient delivery to any destination in
South East Asia within just a few days. This will provide great customer
flexibility in the supply of fresh malted products with shorter lead
times and closer technical service and product development. The
new plant will also have the capability of producing customised
formulations in small batch sizes for customers.”
For Muntons, which has been supplying malts, malt extracts, and
many other malted ingredients across South East Asia and Thailand
for many years, the joint venture facility is “the realisation of a
dream that started some years ago,” according to Alan Ridealgh,
Managing Director of Muntons PLC in the UK. Sales and Marketing
Director Neil Pearmain is also hopeful that will “bring benefits to
the local community and to the company’s business interests in
the UK”.
Excutive Interview with
Mr. Marc Deschamps
Regional Managing Director
Jebsen & Jessen Ingredients
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