Beverage giant to rebuild existing facility into modern multi-storey automated warehouse

POKKA announces plans to revamp existing single-storey warehouse in Singapore to a new five-storey building

The beverage big has affirmed its give attention to native expertise and abilities improvement, whereas aiming to strengthen Singapore’s place as a key take a look at marketplace for new product launches.

Ready-to-drink beverage maker POKKA has introduced plans to revamp its existing regional headquarters in Singapore, at present a single-storey warehouse, into a five-storey state-of-the-art building (envisioned in the photograph above) anticipated to be prepared by Q1 2024.

Construction of the ability has already commenced as of April 2022. The new premises is anticipated to home an innovation and incubation hub, in addition to be fitted with best-in-class know-how, sustainable options, and different innovation amenities that “will take the company into the next decade and beyond”, per the assertion.

POKKA in Singapore completes 45 years in the nation, arrange in 1977 as a subsidiary of Japan-based POKKA Sapporo Food and Beverages. The existing building, situated at 4 Benoi Crescent, has been in operation for over 30 years.

The undertaking, which is a collaboration with actual asset supervisor ESR and PGIM, the asset administration enterprise of Prudential Financial, INC, noticed the ground-breaking ceremony being overseen by Minister of State, Low Yen Ling.

On the event, Rex Macaskill, Group CEO of POKKA, mentioned: “We are excited and look forward to the new facility with cutting-edge R&D and office which will provide us with the expanded scale, modern specifications and sustainability features to support our growth and expansion into the future.”

Aligned with the growing shopper demand for more healthy choices, heading into the longer term, POKKA is anticipated to give attention to well being and wellness merchandise, evolving from ready-to-drink choices to nutraceutical (well being) drinks, and probably rising its meals product vary.

Augmenting the scope and depth of its R&D actions

One of foremost aims for the new facility is to strengthen Singapore’s place as a key take a look at marketplace for new product launches (exterior of Japan) earlier than they roll out to the remainder of the area. To this impact, the corporate is trying to carry the next initiatives to life:

Significantly develop its product mandate in Singapore by augmenting the scope and depth of its R&D actions, together with analysis, new product improvement and market testing.

Focus on meals innovation and the usage of wholesome, pure elements to cater to the more and more refined shopper style, in addition to well being consciousness.

Focus on native expertise and abilities improvement, offering collaboration alternatives with food-science entrepreneurs in product improvement and testing.

Sustainability in enterprise operations

Another key focus of this new undertaking is to undertake sustainability options by way of know-how, together with in building options, manufacturing amenities and gear, distribution and logistics, the adoption of new processes, and bottling supplies. The building itself is designed to finally obtain a zero-carbon footprint, with its solar energy rooftop and solar energy plant that can present ample clear energy to totally assist the companies’ logistics wants, with the aspiration to be a mannequin for sustainable logistics in Singapore.

On the manufacturing entrance, new applied sciences will allow the usage of up to 30% much less plastic in bottles. To date, the new aseptic line has improved productiveness and manufacturing capability by 20%, on the identical time saving power and water utilization by 13%.

On the launch event, the POKKA staff expressed appreciation for its long-standing partnership with the EDB. “This partnership, together with Singapore’s strategic geographic location and its importance as a business and logistics hub, has played a part in the growth and success of POKKA Singapore today, a key player in the beverage industry with a presence in over 50 countries across Asia, the Middle East and Europe.”

EDB’s Vice President, Fong Pin Fen, added: “POKKA’s new innovation and logistics set-up is the most recent funding into its worldwide headquarters in Singapore, which has been rising over the a long time.

“We are confident that Singapore will continue to serve as a critical base for food and beverage companies like Pokka to level up their R&D, supply chain and manufacturing functions to access Asian and global markets, and capture new opportunities in health and wellness.”