ASIA- KH Roberts (KHR), Singapore’s flavors and fragrance firm has marked its 50th anniversary with the launch of a new US$20m, 100,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility including administrative, global sales, R&D, manufacturing, warehouse and logistics.
With the new facility, the firm would further work on growing its flavour innovation technologies as well as expanding new flavour proles.
The company is working with clients and customers on sugar reduction, using flavour sweeteners to reduce or replace sugar usage in their formulation.
KHR’s customers include manufacturers of biscuits, bread and beverages, especially in instant, pre-mix, 3-in-1 and RTD tea drinks.
The site employs smart technologies, automation and digitisation, as well as a state-of-the-art automated liquid distribution and dispensing (ALDD) system, which KHR says is the first-of its-kind in the industry, synergising both automation and scalability of production batch sizes.
“This system has enabled us to achieve efficiency in our manufacturing processes by reducing reliance on manual processes and extending production up time, while ensuring that we comply with increasingly stringent food safety requirements,” said Dr Peter Ong, CEO and executive director of KHR.
“With the integration of R&D and pilot production, we will be able to continually innovate and broaden our portfolio by offering customers with best-in-class flavour solutions and a seamless customer experience.”
The new facility hosts a full-edged flavours R&D centre, as well as a dedicated pilot plant space for small-scale product development and test production, enabling customers and collaborators to test new pre-commercial and technology-based products prior to commercial production.
Growing the Asian footprint
According to the company, the new facility triples its capacity and adds to its manufacturing footprint in Thailand and Indonesia, and direct sales distribution offices in Malaysia, China and various other markets across Asia.
KHR is looking to expand further in North Asia, as well as in Europe and the US where they already have clients.
Minister for Trade & Industry Chan Chun Sing who attended the inauguration said the opening reflected the growth of Singapore’s manufacturing sector, which has steadily grown at a CAGR of 3% since 2010, to over US$7.30 billion in 2016.
