Franklin Baker expands to integrate coco processing
Coconut exporter Franklin Baker Co. of the Philippines (FBCOP) is investing in the development of an integrated coconut processing plant in the former CJ-Toyota production facility in Darong, Davao del Sur.
The plant will provide the biggest production capacity increase across its existing product range, including desiccated coconut, virgin coconut oil, and coconut water.
During the initial phase of the project, Franklin Baker is projected to attain 400 metric tons in coconut production per day.
In addition, the new facility is designed to expand FBCOP’s product range to include new product formats such as retail packs, coconut flour, and coconut milk and cream.
While coconut cream is a popular household culinary ingredient in the Philippines, it is also witnessing significant usage growth as an ethnic food ingredient in many global markets such as the US, Europe and other parts of Asia.
Coconut milk and cream are ideal for use by lactose-intolerant (animal-based milk) consumers and they are rapidly growing as a nondairy milk alternative.
The company plans to commission its new manufacturing facility at the end of this year, with coconut milk and coconut water lines becoming operational in the early part of 2016, according to Cesar Galvez, FBCOP Vice President for Operations in an interview at the Philippine Coconut Authority’s Coconut Week.
Galvez said that FBCOP has spent considerable time and resources in the planning, design, and construction management of the new facility including optimized process flows, the identification of state of the art equipment, skills training, systems set-up and detailed market research to ensure that the right product configuration is matched to market demands.
It imports most of the processing equipment from Europe and Asia to ensure products will meet the stringent quality and food safety specifications of Franklin Baker. It is partnering with local contractors for the civil works and fabrication of some equipment-accessories.
Desiccated coconut has been the main product of FBCOP for more than 100 years – leading the industry with its food safety compliant processes and the most stringent quality management systems. Desiccated coconut is marketed and sold as a food ingredient mostly to the USA and Europe, but has very minimal presence in the retail market. As a household cooking product, desiccated coconut is used in baking, breading, breakfast cereal ingredient, pastries, chocolates, fillers, and other culinary uses.
FBCOP also exports coconut water concentrate to Brazil, USA, Europe and Japan. In 2014, the company started producing and exporting its own virgin coconut oil (VCO).
In May this year, the company started exporting to market organic VCO and coconut water products as the global demand for organic products increased to match the increase in consumer demand.
FBCOP makes the most use of all parts of coconut to maximize value and ensure environment-friendly operations. All its plants run on biofuel coconut shells which are more than enough to supply its fuel requirements of their boilers.
Aligned with the company’s mission statement and with the new directions of FBCOP’s new owners, the company has been working directly with small farm holders and organized farmers or cooperatives to understand their needs and provide the right support in improving their livelihood.
FBCOP targets to source at least 50 percent of its coconut supply directly from farmers and cooperatives.
The company is heightening its efforts to promote environmental stewardship and implement social responsibility projects across its supply chain under its “Sustainability” programs and certifications for the coconut farms/sources.
These initiatives help sustain the coconut industry in the Philippines while meeting the ’sustainable agriculture/ fair trade’ requirements in the US and Europe market.
Franklin Baker’s plants are located in San Pablo City, Laguna and Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur. Both plants are ISO 9001, ISO 2200 Food Safety Management System and HACCP certified. Its facilities are also certified to British Retail Consortium (BRC) Global Standard for Food Safety.
Both plants have received Halal plant accreditation by the Islamic Da’Wah Council of the Philippines and have been Kosher certified by OK Kosher Certification.
It has certifications for Internal Control Systems for both plants and their raw material sources from Ceres EU-USDA, Control Union EU-USDA organic certifying bodies, SEDEX, US FDA among others. Microbiology laboratories for both plants are also accredited to the ISO 17025 Laboratory Management System by the Philippine Accreditation Bureau.