Universal Robina Corp. (URC), the food and beverage unit of the Gokongwei Group, has opened a new P5.4 billion flour mill in Sariaya, Quezon Province, that will boost the company's production capacity by 60 percent.

In a statement, URC said its biggest mill, called URC Flour Sariaya, will increase the company's flour production capacity from 2,180 metric tons (MT) per day to approximately 3,500 MT per day.

URC Chairman Lance Gokongwei said the new mill represents a significant milestone in Universal Robina Corporation’s commitment to advancing flour production and supporting the agricultural and food industries in our nation.  

"This P5.4 billion investment is an affirmation of our confidence in our economy and the conducive investment climate in our country.  It is also a concrete manifestation of our steadfast support to improving our nation’s food security, aligned to the priorities of (the government) to enhance agricultural productivity and strengthen the grain sector," he noted.

Gokongwei said "The addition of this new plant, which is our largest, brings our total milling capacity to an extraordinary 3,470 tons per day, which is equivalent to over 104,100 bags daily.  

:This achievement reinforces URC's standing as the foremost flour producer in the Philippines, helping ensure a steady supply of premium-quality flour that will, in turn, boost food production particularly for the communities we serve here in South Luzon."

By significantly increasing their milling capacity and adopting cutting-edge technology, he said this facility ensures more efficient flour production, which translates to reduced costs for end-users. 

"This efficiency not only supports food security but also contributes to stabilizing commodity prices, mitigating inflationary pressures, and ultimately making essential goods more affordable for Filipino families," Gokongwei said.

“We are seeing ever-growing demand for our products," Irwin C. Lee, URC president and chief executive officer, said. "This new flour mill will allow us to meet that demand, maintain the quality of our products, and keep our prices competitive,” he added.

The new facility utilizes fully automated flour-milling technology, a first in the Philippines. This technology integrates the roller mill’s control and monitoring system into the main station.

URC said the Sariaya mill also features fully automated packing operations, which speeds up the production process and reduces waste. This technology upgrade maximizes efficiency at the plant, reduces costs, and lowers URC’s carbon footprint.

This is in line with URC’s commitment to reduce the amount of energy and other resources it uses to manufacture its products.

The mill, which sits on a 10-hectare property, will provide at least 150 new jobs.

“URC Flour Sariaya is a testament to our unwavering dedication to innovation, quality, and growth," Lee said. "With its enhanced technology, substantial capacity and focus on community development, the plant is poised to become a cornerstone of URC’s progress and a catalyst for positive change in the area,” he also said.

URC Flour is one of the Philippines’ top flour millers. It began commercial operations in 1970 with its first plant in Pasig and opened its second plant in Davao in 1991.