Nestle turns to imports

Nestle Thai Ltd is working hard to solve shortages of its products, including using imports, after its plants in Ayutthaya and at Bangkok’s Nava Nakorn Industrial Estate had to suspend operations early last month because of the flooding.
“Supplies of some of our products have been affected by the flooding, and we will experience some shortages on the shelf,” Nophadol Siwabutr, corporate affairs director of Nestle Thailand, said yesterday.
Some of the company’s co-pack manufacturers, suppliers and distribution partners have been disrupted by the flooding.
“However, we are committed to minimising any disruption to consumers as well as to the supply chain and have activated all of our local and global resources to develop the best possible recovery solutions.”
Nestle’s other plants at Bangchan, Bangpoo and Amata industrial estates and in Chachoengsao are still operating normally.
“We are already back in our factory at Ayutthaya working to restart production as soon as possible. Recovery plans are in place to restart the other factory that has been shut down as soon as the flood waters recede,” Nophadol said.
“We are working with other co-pack manufacturers and our distribution and retail partners to re-supply the market as quickly as possible.”
With the full support of the government, the company is bringing in some products from overseas such as Nestle bottled water, Bear brand and Carnation baby’s milk and NesVita beverage.
These products will show up in grocery stores as early as Wednesday.
“Our prices will also be kept the same as our locally produced products, and Nestle will absorb the additional expenses involved in importing these items,” he said.
“We are taking all possible steps to return to normal operations as quickly as possible and will ensure our usual high quality standards of products and services.”