GMA hails new Heinz-UFC plant

"A friendly morale-booster for the economy in light of the present situation."

Thus did President Arroyo describe the Heinz-UFC manufacturing plant which she inaugurated last Oct. 10, on a 2.3-hectare site in Barangay Pulo in Cabuyao, Laguna.

In a brief exchange with company officials after unveiling the plant’s marker and touring its facilities, the President noted that while most foreign and local investors are adopting a cautious stance or implementing cost-cutting measures (following the events of Sept. 11), HJ Heinz and its local partner, Nutri-Asia Inc., have put up substantial capital for the plant’s construction.

The fully-automated factory is the product of a 50-50 joint venture which HJ Heinz and Nutri-Asia signed in May 2000. It will produce Heinz-UFC ketchup products.

The plant will initially serve Luzon and Metro Manila consumers and is capable of producing 40,000 cases of ketchup a day to fill regional needs. Its highly mechanized "cutting-edge" manufacturing facilities can produce 200 bottles per minute in a single-step operation.

Joselito D. Campos Jr., chairman-chief executive officer, led Heinz-UFC officers and stockholders, including president chief-operating officer Luis F. Alejandro, vice president for corporate affairs Jaime G. Formoso and directors Carlos C. Ejercito, Geny Reyes and others.

HJ Heinz was represented by John Crawshaw, vice president, Asia Region and other top Heinz officials.

Laguna Gov. Teresita Lazaro, Congressman Joaquin Chipeco Jr., Mayor Atok Arguello and other local officials also joined in receiving President Arroyo.

Campos said the plant was built with three areas of consideration: 1) to ensure sufficient capacity to meet market demand; 2) enhance quality of products and production systems in keeping with world-class standards; and 3) provide a healthy and safe workplace for its employees and the environment.

He said Heinz-UFC is engaged in the manufacture, distribution and marketing of well-known consumer packaged food products specializing in condiments and sauces for both the Philippines and international markets in the US, Middle East, Europe and Asia-Pacific.

Alejandro said the new plant will aspire to be a model in the country’s food industry and the Heinz world.

President Arroyo expressed the same appreciation to HJ Heinz chairman-CEO William R. Johnson when he paid her a courtesy call in May this year. She urged Heinz-UFC to give priority in using local raw and other materials.

The factory has adopted GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) and HACAP (Hazard Analysis Control Points) systems and other quality measures in preparation for an ISO certification. It has installed a high-tech biochemical treatment equipment and uses an environment-friendly waste water treatment plant.

UFC has an 85 to 90 percent share of the country’s banana ketchup market including Papa and Jufran lines.

Heinz tomato ketchup, introduced locally early this year, is the world’s leading brand with $2 billion in annual sales worldwide. A new line of Heinz red cooking sauces will be introduced this month.

Heinz-UFC covers 200 supermarkets and chainstores nationwide and 55,000 groceries, sari-sari stores and public market stores and maintains 48 warehouses, mostly managed by dealers.

The local "red sauces’ market is growing at a rate of eight percent, three times the population growth rate. The market consists of three major categories: ketchup, chili and host sauce and cooking sauces.