CPF looks to multibillion-baht integrated food-processing complex

Sukhawat Dansermsuk, executive vice president of CPF, said yesterday that the company had drawn up a plan for such a complex as its business model for future investment. The idea is not only to achieve efficient production costs but also to ensure a supply of raw materials throughout the processing line. 

The complex will focus on six plants producing ready meals, sausage, ham and bacon, soup, sauces, and premixed ingredients. A research-and-development centre will also be established there to develop a variety of new products. 

The company is looking for suitable land for the complex, which should be finalised in the near future.

The investment plan and business model are draw up to strengthen CPF’s competitiveness both in the country and in the export market, particularly amid seamless trade under Asean Economic Community beginning in 2015, Sukhawat said. 

CPF yesterday opened its sausage plant in Bangkok’s Nong Chok district for a media visit. The plant has been equipped with world-class manufacturing technology. The automated processing line significantly reduces the number of workers needed from 400 to 20. The lower number of workers handling the processing ensures high food safety without contamination by any disease, he said.

Sukhawat said the company invested Bt1.5 billion on the automated system. Of this, Bt1.1 billion was for the machinery and buildings including warehouses and the remainder for wastewater treatment. 

CPF manages two sausage plants, the one in Nong Chok and another in Saraburi, with a combined annual production capacity of 80,000 tonnes. The total sales of this manufacturing group (Nong Chok, Saraburi and Chachoengsao) is expected to reach between Bt12 billion and Bt13 billion this year and is targeted to exceed Bt20 billion in 2017 when their combined capacity reaches 230,000 tonnes. 

Currently, the company aims to balance its domestic and export sales. It exports sausage products to Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia.