Kerry Group, a taste and nutrition company, officially opened a new 21,500-square-feet state-of-the-art facility in Jeddah. The company has invested more than €80 million ($90 million) in the region over the past four years. This new facility, which is Kerry’s largest in the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey region, is said to be one of the most modern and efficient in the world and will produce nutritious and sustainable food ingredients, which will be distributed across the Middle East.
Through the new facility, which currently employs 130 people, Kerry will utilize its global innovation technologies that are adapted to local tastes to help food and beverage companies meet the growing consumer demand in the region for healthier, tastier and more sustainable food and beverages, particularly in snack, meat and bakery sectors.
Edmond Scanlon, chief executive of Kerry Group, said: “This new facility underscores our full support of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 to delight and nourish Saudi consumers by serving the region’s large and growing food and beverage market. By investing in the local economy, we are supporting the development and activities of local food and beverage companies, creating faster response times for customers and bolstering the local community by creating high-value jobs. There has been a Kerry presence in Saudi since 2018, when we acquired the company AATCO, and we look forward to continuing to grow our business in this important market.”
Peter Dillane, vice president and general manager, Kerry Middle East, India, Sub-Saharan Africa, added: “Our local investment in consumer research enables us to predict global and regional trends and customize to local taste preferences. We can also provide immediate solutions for rapid product development and delivery, from streamlining supply chains with local warehousing and flexible production, availability of ingredients made locally to superior Saudi standards and understanding of local regulatory policies, to reduced lead times to support growing local customers. I am confident the new Jeddah plant will build a sustainable future for the Saudi market through waste reduction, environmentally responsible practices and delicious, nutritious food products consumers will value. We are proud to support this exciting evolution in the region’s food and beverage industry.”
As part of Kerry’s Beyond the Horizon sustainability commitment, the new facility is also making an important environmental difference. Since 2018, the factory carbon footprint has been reduced by 35 percent and there has been a 40 percent reduction in water usage. Food safety is paramount and the new facility was built on state-of-the-art ready-to-eat standard of design and construction to uphold the strictest customer requirements for hygiene and food safety. Its stringent humidity and temperature-controlled environment ensures all materials are always fresh and ready to use anytime. The facility is FSSC 22000, HACCP, ISO 22000 and AIBI-certified.
