D&L keeps food, sanitation production going

Alvin Lao

Despite challenges arising from the Luzon-wide quarantine, food and plastic input manufacturer D&L Industries is keeping selected production lines operational to prevent any disruption in the supply of raw materials for the critical food and sanitation chemical industries.

While the company typically sources some of its raw materials from China and some delays are expected, D&L announced that it had been able to find alternative suppliers and build up ample stockpile on hand with inventory sufficient for over 100 days.

As such, D&L said it would continue producing basic food raw materials and sanitation chemicals amid challenging environment. These are the industrial sectors exempted from the month-long Luzon-wide “enhanced community quarantine” imposed by the government.

“We’re working in less than ideal operating conditions right now, facing challenges in logistics, supply disruptions and reduced manpower. But as of now, we’re still able to maintain selected manufacturing capabilities, and I hope will continue to do so until the outbreak has been permanently contained,” D&L president and chief executive officer Alvin Lao said in a press statement.

“I believe that as a good corporate citizen, it is our responsibility to keep our employees safe and make sure there are no major disruptions in manufacturing raw materials used in basic food items and sanitation products that are crucial during these times. The food ingredients that we manufacture go into canned goods, noodles, biscuits, and other shelf-stable snacks. We also manufacture sanitation chemicals such as alcohol, disinfectant spray, and sanitizer which are much needed due to current conditions,” Lao added.

As of press time, D&L Industries’ manpower resource remained COVID-19-free. The company has instituted strict precautionary measures to address employee health risks. Moreover, a work-from-home policy and staggered attendance scheme are currently in place.

In order to help its employees prepare and buy needed supplies for their homes, D&L has already released half of the 13th month pay to employees last Tuesday, March 17. In addition, D&L agreed to pay salaries in full to all of its employees, until the end of the enhanced community quarantine on April 13.

The group is staffed by about 2,500 people, including cooperative staff, apprentices and agency-hired security guards and janitors.

“As a counter-measure, we are aligning resources to serve the increase in demand for immunity-boosting food supplements, cleaning solutions, alcohol, and disinfectants. We’ll do whatever we can on our part and join with the public in this fight to contain COVID-19,” Lao said.

“While there are a lot of uncertainties at this point, and the food ingredients business will likely take a hit with slower demand from the hotel/restaurant/catering (HoReCa) sector, we are optimistic that we can weather this storm given our strong balance sheet,” he said.

D&L Industries manufactures customized food ingredients, specialty raw materials for plastics, and oleochemicals for personal and home care use. The company is also the manufacturer of Laurin CocoMCT, a coconut-derived immunity-boosting supplement rich in lauric acid that has antiviral and antibacterial properties. It also produces sanitation products such as Solbac disinfectant spray, Fresh Again alcohol, and Bactofree sanitizer.