The factory, occupying a five hectare plot of lands was built with an investment of 11 million euro. It has a production capacity of 500,000 carton boxes per month for distribution not only in Serbia but also to other countries Europe.
Anthony Salim, the Executive Director of the Salim Group, which owns Indofood, said he hoped that factory would provide gateway for the Indofood to reach the rest of Europe.
After Anthoni Salim became Indofood’s president in 2004, the company stepped up promotion of its Indomie instant noodles in the Middle East and set up instant noodle factories in Syria, Egypt and Kenya.
The listed Singaporean unit Indofood Agri Resources, the agriculture arm of beverage and food giant under of Indofood Sukses Makmur, is extending its reach in agricultural commodities. Indofood has acquired stakes in sugar producers in Brazil and the Philippines. The company also acquired a Chinese vegetable processor and set up join ventures with Brazil’s largest poultry exporter BRF.
In Indonesia, Indofood Agri is planning to build up to three new crude palm oil factories next year through its subsidiaries, PT Salim Ivomas Pratama Tbk (IDX: SIMP) and PT London Sumatra Plantation Tbk (IDX: LSIP).
Recently, the company cooperated with Japanese trader Mitsui & Co. to bring Japanese doughnut shop chain Mister Donut to Indonesia. Previously in 2013, Indomarco formed a partnership with Japanese eatery operator Sato Restaurant Systems, aiming to enhance its ready-to-eat product lineup.
In addition, Salim is eyeing e-commerce business as reflected by the acquisition 26 percent of Philipine Long Distance Telephone (PLDT) by First Pacific. PLDT has been on shopping online and has invested in online ventures in Malaysia and Singapore.
In Indonesia the group units have set up joint ventures in online advertising and call center operations. The partnership with Japan logistic company Seino Holdings is part of the Salim e-commerce strategy. (*)