Universal Robina Corporation (URC) recently broke ground on a new production plant in the municipality of Malvar in Batangas. URC, one the country’s largest food and beverage firms, relayed in an announcement that many of its high-quality products to be launched in the coming years will be manufactured in the Malvar facility.
Reflective of URC’s long-term vision to become a sustainable global enterprise, the facility will be equipped with the latest technology to allow for highly efficient manufacturing processes, thereby optimizing the use of resources.
“This mega plant will feature state-of-the-art manufacturing technology – from the way it will be constructed all the way to how it will be operated,” said Irwin Lee, URC President and CEO. “The manufacturing lines to be installed in Malvar will incorporate design improvements that will further reduce material resource inputs, production wastage, labor efforts, and energy as well as water consumption.”
The burying of a time capsule to mark the groundbreaking of Universal Robina Corporation’s mega plant in Malvar, Batangas. At the ceremony are (from left) Raul Nicdao, URC Vice President for Corporate Engineering, Irwin Lee, URC President and CEO; Malvar Municipal Mayor Cristeta Reyes; Councilor Emiliano Lat; and Barangay Chairman Vicente Villanueva.
Anchored on one of URC’s core strategies – that of building a people- and planet-friendly culture – the company has made a big push to increase the share of power derived from renewable energy sources at its facilities. Towards this end, it has installed solar panels at several of its plants in the Philippines and in its manufacturing hubs in Thailand and Vietnam over the last few years. In keeping with this initiative, the Malvar facility will likewise be equipped with solar panels to generate power. To lower energy use further, its buildings are designed to employ as much natural lighting and ventilation as possible, and will aim to maximize recovery of rainwater and reuse of wastewater.
Construction of URC’s new plant in Malvar will begin this year, with further expansion set to continue for approximately 10 to 15 years. When completed, it will cover an area of 30.7 hectares and employ some 3,000 workers directly and indirectly, potentially providing a significant portion of the municipality’s 65,000 citizens with a major source of sustainable livelihood.
“We look forward to building a healthy relationship with the people of Malvar. We also look forward to doing our part in economic development and nation building by providing jobs to the residents of Malvar, and the rest of the country, with the full build-out of this manufacturing facility,” shared Lee.
For more information on URC, visit urc.com.ph
