Royal Canin will produce high value-added functional pet food in the facility covering a 98,021 square meter site. (image: Nickolas Titkov/flickr)
SEOUL, Sept. 4 (Korea Bizwire) – Royal Canin, a world famous pet food provider, decided to set up one of its global production lines in Korea, a strategic move to gain a foothold in the Asian market which sees a surging pet loving population as time advances.
According to North Jeolla Province, the provincial government and Royal Canin signed a memorandum of understanding for the French company’s investment (US$ 64mllion)and construction of its 13th pet food manufacturing facility in an industrial complex in Gimje by 2017.
Royal Canin will produce high value-added functional pet food in the facility covering a 98,021 square meter site. Its Gimje factory will play a core role as a production center in the Asia-Pacific region and more than 80 percent of its output will be exported to Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand.
Weighing the production locations among Korea, Japan and Australia for its Asia base, Royal Canin decided Korea’s Gimje as the final choice since it can take advantage of its skilled labor force, supports from local government, convenience of material supply and easy access to a nearby harbor for export.
Established by French veterinary surgeon Jean Cathary in 1968, Royal Canin produces customized health nutrition food for dogs and cats in currently 12 factories in Canada, France and the U.S. hiring more than 7,000 workers in 90 countries.
Noticing that each breed of around 350 dogs and 60 cats needs different nutrition with respect to the breed, Royal Canin is providing the customized nutrition foods meeting the needs of each breed, their different body types, lifecycles and health requirement.
The investment of Royal Canin into Gimje is expected to play an import role in revitalizing the local economy. With its $64 million of direct investment, it will directly employ some 60 locals and help the local government collect tax revenue from the boosted economy from the Roayl Canin factory.
Song Ha-jin, governor of North Jeolla Province, said, “With the Royal Canin’s investment as a momentum, we hope more global enterprises come to our province and do their businesses here. We will provide every support for Royal Canin’s growth.”
Loic Moutault, the regional director of the Asia Pacific branch of Royal Canin, said, “For the improved income of local residents and for the joint development of related industries, we will source most of ingredients for making our products from the region.”
By John Choi (johnchoi@koreabizwire.com)
I believe that dogs shouldn’t suffer and die for the trade in their meat. I support an end to the dog meat trade throughout Asia, and urge the governments of all countries where the trade in dog meat exists to work diligently and quickly towards eradicating this cruel and unnecessary practice.
I know that is very disturbing but we cannot watch torture happen to the innocent and defenseless and do nothing!
We were never given hearts and minds to think about the cat and dog meat trade, well they are not hurting me so I will look away and let it go on!We are better than this. It is our duty to do everything we can to stop this atrocity and genocides ASAP!!!