Nestle sees continuous growth in exports

By JACK WONG

NESTLE
(M) Bhd sees continuous growth in the exports of its products,
especially to the Middle East countries, says managing director
Sullivan O’Carroll.

This is because Nestle Malaysia is now the biggest halal food producer in the Nestle group, distributing more than 300 types of halal products, he says.

The
company owns seven manufacturing factories in Malaysia, including two
in Demak Laut Industrial Park, Kuching, and employs nearly 5,000 staff.

“About 22% of our total production is now exported to more than 50 countries, mostly in the Asean region,” O’Carrroll tells StarBizWeek.

Dr
George Chan (second from left) displaying his culinary skills at the
Nestle Nourishing Malaysia Showcase in Kuching Friday. On the right is
Nestle MD Sullivan O’Carroll.

He was speaking
yesterday after the opening of the three-day Nestle Nourishing Malaysia
Showcase in Kuching by Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan
Hong Nam.

O’Carroll says the Nestle factory in Kuching has
increased the production of Maggi products, like noodles, by between 7%
and 8% in the past several years for the Sarawak, Sabah and Indonesia
markets.

“We think that this (growth trend) will continue.”

He
said Nestle Malaysia, which recorded a RM3.4bil in turnover last year,
has achieved between 4% and 6% annual growth nationwide. Earlier at the
opening ceremony, O’Carroll said Nestle was now evolving to become the
world’s leading nutrition, health and wellness company.

He says
the company harnessed its 140 years of scientific know-how and advanced
food and nutrition research to constantly innovate and review its
product offerings for enhanced nutritional values.

Nestle is
complementing the Health Ministry’s 10-year nutrition action plan
through the development of products with less sugar, salt and fat, he
adds.