Feature: Baking to the Future

Baking to the Future: Gardenia brings ‘world class’ bread plant in Mindanao

Bread market giant Gardenia Bakeries recently inaugurate its new and most advanced, fully automated bread manufacturing plant in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental in an aim to expand its distribution and serve increasing demand for its products in Mindanao areas.

The 2.5-hectare world class Gardenia plant features robotics and the latest innovations in modern baking. Gardenia President Jun Umali shared that all its major equipment are sourced from the best and reliable bakery equipment suppliers in different parts of the world – Germany, the Netherlands, United States, Malaysia and Japan. The integration of these machineries and equipment is a company’s expertise, following Gardenia operations in Asia-Pacific which enables them to develop an appropriate manufacturing process unique only for Gardenia Philippines.

The new plant allowed the company to expand operations and increase distribution capabilities in Davao, Cagayan de Oro, General Santos, Surigao, Zamboanga del Norte, Butuan and Kidapawan. “We will intensify our market penetration and saturation to widen our network and eventually reach every corner of Mindanao,” Umali added.

The new plant can produce 130,000 loaves and buns a day which will be distributed all over the region. It is also expected to generate hundreds of employment and eventually contribute to the Mindanao’s economic growth.

The company president also said that this manufacturing facility is designed to allow consumers to witness and experience the modern making process through catwalk plant tour. Further, having a Mindanao plant could already assure a more quality bread offering from Gardenia. Wide variety of their products will be produced from the new plant including white breads, health bread selections, flavored loaf offerings and buns or pandesal, even Gardenia’s affordable loaf brand, Neubake.

Gardenia Mindanao’s Strategic Location

The plant is specifically located in PHIVIDEC Industrial Estate in Tagoloan town of Misamis Oriental, a place near to Cagayan de Oro City. Umali explained that choosing this site adjacent to Cagayan de Oro is a strategic move for this 1-billion investment.

“The new plant is purposefully located not only for Mindanao commercial operations. This will also serve as support to our Cebu plant or Visayas market,” Umali said. Having this strategy, Gardenia can easily dispatch breads to other areas when the need arises, especially in the event of major calamities or natural disasters. Plus, the plant’s proximity to the ports of Cagayan de Oro, the gateway to Mindanao, ensures availability and accessibility of ingredients.

Further, Umali emphasized that Mindanao plant is part of Gardenia’s continued growth and leadership in a goal to reach more of its consumers.

“World class quality bread products that will satisfy your appetites as well as feed your hearts will be at your fingertips. Our products will come to you fresh, delicious and healthy as we take Gardenia and breadmaking to the next level,” he ended.