URC to build P1B Vitasoy factory in Pampanga

URC chair Lance Gokongwei, URC president/CEO Irwin Lee

Gokongwei-led Universal Robina Corp. (URC) is investing P1 billion to build a local production hub for Vitasoy in Pampanga, catering to consumers’ increasing demand for healthy food and beverage products.

This is in line with a joint venture set up bu URC last year with Hong Kong’s Vitasory group, aiming to roll out “high-quality, nutritious and sustainable” food and beverage products in the Philippine market.

URC chair Lance Gokongwei said in a press chat after the company’s stockholders meeting on Wednesday that the new factory in Pampanga would start commercial operation by 2019.

Vitasoy products are now available in the Philippine market but they are imported from Hong Kong for now.

Established in 1940, Vitasoy is a leading international manufacturer and distributor of a food and beverage portfolio focused on sustainable plant-based nutrition. Its products include soy and other types of plant milk, such as coconut milk and almond milk, as well as tofu under the Vitasoy brand. It also offers a variety of teas, juices, distilled water and other beverages under the Vita brand.