DKSH : expands and upgrades to state-of-the-art food and beverage innovation center in Thailand

Media release

DKSH expands and upgrades to state-of-the-art food and beverage innovation center in Thailand

DKSH, a leading Market Expansion Services provider, has expanded and upgraded its food and beverage innovation center to brand new and state-of-the-art facilities in Bangkok, Thailand. This expansion will allow DKSH to strengthen its innovation service offering to its partners in the confectionery, bakery, beverage, dairy, processed food and nutritional supplements segments.

Bangkok, Thailand, January 22, 2018 - DKSH's Business Unit Performance Materials, a leading ingredients and specialty chemicals distributor and provider of Market Expansion Services, has made a major investment in its food and beverage business by expanding and upgrading its innovation center in Thailand to brand new and state-of-the-art facilities in Bangkok.

The innovation center specializes in developing food and beverage formulations and provides expert technical support to its business partners in Thailand. It currently develops over 150 prototypes and 200 formulations per year including: unique bakery products such as mamon cakes, low sugar muffins and transfat-free croissants; beverage and dairy products such as functional drinks, fruits and vegetable drinks and greek yoghurt; and savory products such as low fat sausages, egg-free mayonnaise and low sodium instant noodles.

Joining a network of seven DKSH food and beverage innovation centers (with 14 application laboratories) in Asia and Europe, the center houses some of the industry's most advanced development and analysis equipment. It provides a broad range of specialized services including: formulation application, product ideation and development support, stability testing, sensory evaluation, pilot trials and technical training. In addition, its specialists work closely with a dedicated regulatory team to provide consultation and support for the complex regulatory environment of the food and beverage industry in Thailand.

Ben Hopkins, Vice President, Global Food & Beverage Industry, Performance Materials, DKSH commented: "We have made a major investment by expanding and re-vamping our food and beverage innovation center in Thailand - one of our biggest markets. The new facilities and high-end equipment, run by our skilled specialists, will strengthen our technical service offering to our growing customer base and allow us to create many new business opportunities as a strategic partner to our clients."

Photo caption (From left to right)

• 1. Mr. Mathias Greger, Vice President, Business Unit Performance Materials, DKSH Thailand

• 2. Mr. Natale Capri, Co-Head Business Unit Performance Materials, DKSH

• 3. Mr. Stefan P. Butz, Chief Executive Officer, DKSH

• 4. Mr. Thomas Sul, Co-Head Business Unit Performance Materials, DKSH

• 5. Mr. Ben Hopkins, Vice President, Global Food & Beverage Industry, Business Unit Performance Materials, DKSH

• 6. Mr. Douglas Humphrey, Head Country Management, DKSH Thailand

About DKSH

DKSH is the leading Market Expansion Services provider with a focus on Asia. As the term "Market Expansion Services" suggests, DKSH helps other companies and brands to grow their business in new or existing markets. Publicly listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange since 2012, DKSH is a global company headquartered in Zurich. With 780 business locations in 36 countries - 750 of them in Asia - and 30,320 specialized staff, DKSH generated net sales of CHF 10.5 billion in 2016. DKSH was founded in 1865. With strong Swiss heritage, the company has a long tradition of doing business in and with Asia and is deeply rooted in communities and businesses across Asia Pacific.

DKSH Business Unit Performance Materials is a leading specialty chemicals distributor and provider of Market Expansion Services for performance materials, covering Europe, North America and the whole of Asia. The Business Unit sources, develops, markets and distributes a wide range of specialty chemicals and ingredients for pharmaceutical, personal care, food & beverage as well as various industrial applications. In addition, it creates innovative and cutting-edge concepts and applications in 27 innovation centers located worldwide. With 80 business locations in 31 countries and around 990 specialized staff, Business Unit Performance Materials generated net sales of CHF 870.6 million in 2016.

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