RACHNA LAL
suva
Frezco Beverages Limited has undertaken a multi-million-dollar investment to moving towards “bottling at source” for its Aqua Pacific Natural Artesian Mineral Water.
The locally-owned company, after spending 10 years in the industry, is constructing a new state-of-the-art bottling water plant facility on the hills of Mulomulo, Nadi.
The founder/CEO, Altaaf Jamal, said to date, they have already invested $5 million into this project with further investment plans in the near future.
“Over the next three years, we plan to invest a total of $20 million as we introduce our new product line and extension of our plant and building,” he said.
Mr Jamal said this investment will enable them to fulfil their local and export growth.
This investment is being mainly carried out through local funding.
Mr Jamal said HFC Bank had been very supportive in the past few years in meeting their proposal for the expansion, even before becoming a fully-fledged commercial bank.
“HFC has been very supportive in the last few years in meeting our proposal for expansion and we have our export proceeds that has enabled us to use our cash flow as well,” he said.
The company’s current product line capacity is 3000 bottles per hour.
The new fully-automated line, Mr Jamal said, from blowing, filling and packaging into multi-packs 15,000 bottles per hour has given them five-fold increase in capacity.
“Locating our bottling plant at source has also given us much needed space for holding large stock, container yard and room for future expansion,” he said.
Growth rate
Mr Jamal revealed the company’s exports have grown by 100 per cent in the past 12 months.
“For this year, we are expecting another 100 per cent growth in export as the brand is becoming more well-known in the markets where we are exporting,” he said.
The Aqua Pacific brand is growing rapidly with exports to around nine countries.
These include China, Taiwan, Japan, United States, Kuwait, Dubai, Australia and other Pacific Islands markets.
Reason for investment
Mr Jamal said the reason for their investment was because they believe in their product, brand and the global demand for quality premium artesian water.
“We also have confidence in the Fijian Economy and the Bainimarama-led government with its current policies that has given exporters like us the platform to explore business opportunities here,” he said.
“Fiji is the hub to global market and if we can be innovative with our ideas and have a dream to move forward the time is right now,” he said.
New products
Frezco Beverages Limited, the bottling arm of Aqua Pacific Natural Artesian Mineral Water, also has few private Label water up its sleeve which will be bottled from the new facility.
Mr Jamal said this is with new technology and formula the company will bottle “Energy Water” using Caffeine & Vitamin for a group out of Australia.
“The company under its new brand will also launch ‘Health & Beauty’ Water using an Anti-Aging active ingredient for export market mainly Japan, China & United States,” he said.
The company also bottles and markets Fijian & Bula brand Noni Products, Carbonated Drinks “POPS” and XTC – Energy Drinks.
“We are currently building a worldwide network of engaged, determined and smart team of people who are coming together with the vision I have for taking our Fijian Made Products worldwide,” Mr Jamal said.
Feedback: rachnal@fijisun.com.fj
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