Barentz 'moving with customers' to Apac through new Manilla office

Related tags Nutrition

Having an office in the Philippines is a “logical step”, according to Barentz after the ingredients company opened the doors to its new Manilla base last weekend.

Since 2012, Barentz has had an Asia-Pacific head office in Singapore, which has operated alongside other regional teams. It also located its Vitablend production plant for nutritional premixes and antioxidant blends in the city-state.

“Being in the Philippines is a logical step for us,” said Kees Schepers, the company’s regional vice-president. “It fits right into our strategy of wanting to be close to our customers to develop solutions together.

“Over the last two years we have seen a substantial growth in our Asian customers, making it essential for us to be here.”

Operating from Manila, Barentz will focus on supplying to food and nutrition companies in the Philippines, before developing its ingredients and additives business for the pharmaceutical and personal care industries.

With over 100 million people, and one of the highest GDP growths in the region in 2012, the Philippines is a key market for Barentz and its major suppliers, the company said in a statement.

The opening of the Manila office is part of an Asia-Pacific expansion plan, which also includes further moves to Malaysia, Vietnam and Australia.

Hidde van der Wal, CEO of Barentz, said: “Although our heritage and a substantial amount of our turnover originates in Europe, we are growing fast into the Asian territories.

“Since many of our customers are expanding to the Asia-Pacific region, we move with them.”