Thailand
Nestle (Thai) is planning expand its production facilities in the Navanakorn Industrial Estate province for milk and coffee products.
Nestle’s c.e.o. Paul Bulcke and executive vice president for Asia, Oceania, Africa and the Middle East Frits van Dijk confirmed the company will be investing THB1.27 billion (US$791.3 million) in the country on this and on other projects in the kingdom during a recent visit.
The company also announced that it will invest CHF260 million (US$241 million) in Southeast Asia in 2009 expanding its facilities. This comes on top of a reported CHF550m in capital investments in its ASEAN operations over the last three years.
In a related move, Nestle (Thai) is spending THB200 million to promote its new Nescafe’ Protect ProSlim, a three-in-one coffee mix with white kidney bean extract and dietary fiber. Nestle’ plans to achieve a 50% market share of this specialty segment, valued at THB600 million annually, in its first year of trading.
According to business executive manager for coffee and beverages Prasopsuk Suttapirom, market demand for coffee products for health and weight loss is increasing by 40-50% per year, higher than for other coffee segments.
