Zest-O puts up two facilities for P500M

REPORT FROM BUSINESSWORLD FILIPINO BEVERAGE maker Zest-O Corp. has invested P500 million for two integrated plants in Pampanga and Davao, General Manager Jeffrey Yao said. In an interview, Mr. Yao said the plants would manufacture Zest-O’s various products ahead of its planned initial public offering. "We want to improve the company value. Hopefully, we would be able to maintain the growth of the company," he said, adding that the company might schedule the planned market debut next year. Zest-O Marketing Manager Christian T. Lim said the plant in Pampanga is scheduled to open within the year while the Davao plant would be completed next year. "The Pampanga plant will serve most of the requirements in Central and North Luzon. We expect faster turnaround, quicker response time when it comes to orders," he said. Established as a privately owned corporation by Alfred S. Yao, Zest-O is one of the biggest firms selling juice drink in doy packs, cornering as much as 90% of the local market. Aside from Zest-O juice drink, it markets Sunglo juice drinks and Big 250 fruit drinks. It also acquired Plus Juice Drinks and has ventured into the instant noodles segment with Quick Chow, Quikie, Tekki Yakiudon and Asian Classic. The company also manufactures and sells carbonated drinks and fruit sodas under the Zest-O-Cola, Rootbeer, Twist, and Squiz brands and health drinks under the One brand. Mr. Lim said Zest-O has seen a 20% growth in sales during the 10-month period, on track with its 22% improvement by yearend as the company gained from election spending along with other consumer companies. New products will come out by the early part of next year, he said. "Next year will be a total company effort centered within our beverage line and outside beverages such as noodles," he added. Zest-O is in talks with partners who plan to bring its products to Southeast Asia, Middle East and new markets such as Africa. "There is a huge market for comfort food such as the products you grew up with. That is where it all starts for us," he added. — Ruby Anne M. Rubio/BusinessWorld