Innovation, New Products Boost Purefoods Revenues in 2008

San Miguel Pure Foods Company, Inc. (SMPFC), posted a record P71.1 billion in total revenues for 2008, a 15% growth from 2007 figures on the back of pricing measures that covered higher input costs. Steady volume and revenue increases in most of the core businesses and favorable selling prices boosted revenues amid steep raw material price increases and shrinking disposable incomes.

SMPFC Chairman Eduardo M. Cojuangco said:
"Our ability to maintain our market leadership in many different food categories relies on anticipating changing trends and understanding the consumer behavior from various income ranges. We constantly review our product portfolio and find ways to offer quality and affordable products that are relevant to their needs.”

Several innovations include products like Ulam King—an inexpensive, viand that is a complete meal in itself. and Mom’s Kitchen, prepared meals for middle-income consumers.

Also key to the company’s growth are its effective marketing strategies. One example is the Magnolia Chicken Station, which has enjoyed phenomenal success since its launch in 2004. With over 300 stations throughout the Philippines, this selling innovation has resulted in a 29% increase in volumes in the last year alone.

Another SMPFC innovation is the Community Partner Program launched last year. Small entrepreneurs or community partners have been enlisted in the effort to make SMPFC products available in sari-sari stores and wet markets which are beyond the reach of larger dealers due to inaccessibility or lack of economies of scale. With this, SMPFC penetrated close to 100 additional distribution networks.

Cojuancgco added:
“It’s a winning proposition all around: job creation or extra income for those that need it and wider reach for our products. This is the perfect example of how we have worked in partnership with our dealers and found an innovative solution to market in a way that both inspires and rewards.”

He also cited renewed focus on research and development (R&D) that underscore the Food Group’s emphasis on nutrition, value and taste. Facing a challenging 2009, Cojuangco concluded:
“To further drive cost improvements across the Food Group, we will continue working to improve margins by leveraging our scale to ensure we have a competitively advantaged cost base, improve manufacturing efficiencies, and improve the performance of our supply and distribution chains.”

“We are confident that we have adopted the appropriate strategies to successfully surmount the difficulties of the present. While there is still more work to do, we made reasonably good progress in creating a stronger, more resilient San Miguel Pure Foods Company for our consumers, business partners, employees and shareholders.”

Source: SMPFC Press Release, July 21, 2009

San Miguel To Participate In Expressway Project

San Miguel Corporation (SMC) announced last July 20 that it has entered into a non-binding agreement to acquire a significant stake of the Private Infrastructure Development Corp. (PIDC), a consortium of construction companies behind the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Toll Expressway Project.

The 88-kilometer expressway project will extend from La Paz, Tarlac to Rosario, La Union. Once completed, it is estimated that the expressway will cut by half the travel time from Manila to Baguio.

The parties have agreed to execute and finalize a definitive agreement which shall be subject to government approval.

SMC has diversified its business interests to include a stake in power retailer Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), oil refiner Petron and Liberty Telecom.

Ramon S. Ang, SMC president and chief operating officer said:

"This is in line with our diversification plans and we’re happy to be a catalyst for the infrastructure needs of the country."

"The North to Central Luzon stretch is a potentially dynamic industrial corridor and the proposed expressway will make it easier and more cost effective to move goods and people from one point of Luzon to another. As a food and beverage conglomerate with one of the most developed distribution networks in the country, we have a strong interest in making it happen."