By Bernie Cahiles-Magkilat
Commercial operations of the P1-billion Gardenia bread manufacturing plant in Cagayan de Oro (CdO) has been moved to the third quarter this year instead second quarter.
Simplicio Umali Jr., president and general manager of Gardenia Bakeries Philippines, Inc. (GBPI), the marketing and bread development arm of Gardenia, said the new plant located in PHIVIDEC Industrial Estate in Misamis Oriental adjacent to Cagayan de Oro is expected to commence operations by the third quarter of this year.
The plant is being operated by Nutrimax Fresh-Baked, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Gardenia International Pte. Ltd. Singapore, Gardenia’s parent company.
“The construction of our bread plant in Mindanao is well underway and now almost halfway to completion,” confirmed Umali. “Building is almost finished, while the machines and equipment have arrived, installation will soon follow,” he added.
It will feature a fully automated, computer-controlled bread manufacturing facility integrating the most advanced baking technologies sourced from all over the world.
The giant tunnel oven, proofers, moulders, dividers, conveyors and packaging equipment come from Germany and the Netherlands. The bread cooling tower comes from Japan while giant horizontal mixers are made in the USA.
“Consumers can now expect sufficient supply of Gardenia breads in Mindanao as the company goes full blast with the construction of its first-ever bread plant in the region,” Umali said.
In a statement, Gardenia President Jun Umali said the newest bread factory, with an estimated investment of P1 billion, will produce 130,000 Gardenia loaves and buns each day to be distributed all over Mindanao.
With the new Gardenia bread factory, Mindanao consumers are assured of more reliable and stable baked goods supply, especially during long weekends and holidays.
In addition, GBPI is expected to mount a more aggressive distribution and marketing in Mindanao to provide this big market with quality bread.
Currently, Gardenia breads are being delivered fresh using trucks from its plant in Cebu, utilizing the RORO nautical highway.
Once completed, the factory will be open for plant tours to showcase how bread is produced the world-class way, untouched by hand in a clean and sanitary environment.
The Gardenia Mindanao plant is also expected to generate hundreds of employment opportunities in manufacturing, distribution, sales and marketing.