Kraft opens research facility in Parañaque

Kraft Foods Philippines, Inc. Thursday inaugurated its $1.5-million (P67.6 million) Research and Development Center in Paranaque, which will serve as its regional hub for food product and development service for its Asia Pacific units. In a briefing, James Andrade, Kraft Foods Asia Pacific vice- president for Research and Development said the company chose the Philippines to be the location of the research facility due to its improving economic condition and diligent work force. "There are several reasons. Kraft products have been part of the Philippine diet. People who make up the work force here are tremendous people. They work hard and do fantastic job. [Another reason is] its increasingly improved economic condition," he said. The research center will include a pilot plant and packaging laboratory for testing new products and packaging materials. Around 28 Kraft Foods employees will work in the facility. Tod Gimbel, Kraft Foods Asia Pacific director for corporate affairs, said nearly all of the workers will be Filipinos. "But we will bring in people from the United States, Europe and Latin America to learn about the region and to bring in their technical expertise. We will also take people from the Philippines to other regions for short-term assignments," Mr. Gimbel said. "The center symbolizes our continued commitment to research and development because our growth is built on innovation and breakthrough products," he added. Mr. Andrade said the company aimed to make the research facility a center for excellence in developing beverages. He added that the firm would develop new varieties for beverages in the new facility but declined to elaborate on the prospective products. Worldwide, Kraft Foods and Research Development resources include more than 2,000 food scientists, chemists and engineers in five centers: East Hanover, New Jersey, Glenview Illinois, Tarrytown, New York, Banbury United Kingdom and Munich, Germany. Kraft Foods Philippines, Inc. is a fully-owned subsidiary of Kraft Foods, a global leader in foods and beverages. Kraft’s Philippine unit was established in 1963 and started manufacturing operations in 1965. It operates a cheese and viscous dressings/spreads manufacturing facility in Paranaque for local distribution and for export to Kraft affiliates in Asia-Pacific countries. Among its brands are Tang and Kool Aid fruit beverages, Eden cheese, Cheez Whiz cheese spread, Kraft Cheddar, Kraft Real Mayo and Miracle Whip spreads, Maxwell House coffee, Oreo and Chips Ahoy cookies Belvita biscuits and Toblerone chocolates. - Alexis Douglas B. Romero/BusinessWorld