One of the main reasons why we set up this new Center is to provide a better customer service experience through service optimization and automation. As we continue to grow in the Region, this growth needs to be supported by a strong hub that will focus on improving our processes and efficiencies.

Prior to setting up APAC BEC, our strong customer service, information management and finance teams were located at our Port Klang factory site, providing shared resources to the region. With this new Center, we are highly confident that we can focus on and deliver the highest level of service while attracting the best talent.

When deciding on the location for this Center, Malaysia topped the chart. Malaysia is a country renowned as a financial and shared services hub, plus it has an extremely strong talent pool. Our existing presence in the country and all these other factors led us to believe that we could build a business excellence center at pace and scale and deliver an improved customer experience across the Region.

Our story in Malaysia started when we acquired a 60% stake in Kuala Lumpur Kepong Cocoa Products Sdn Bhd (KLK Cocoa), a subsidiary of Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad (a Malaysia-based multinational company involved in plantations, manufacturing, retailing and property development) in 2008.

At the time of acquisition, KLK Cocoa was one of Asia Pacific’s leading cocoa and chocolate manufacturers. Our partnership with them allowed us to tap into the strong local expertise in Asia Pacific and expand our footprint in this Region.

Since the acquisition, KLK Cocoa has changed its name to what we know today as Barry Callebaut Malaysia Sdn Bhd. Then came our second manufacturing site in Malaysia in 2012, when we acquired Petra Foods' Cocoa Ingredients Division and integrated its cocoa factory in Pasir Gudang into our footprint.

Through KLK Cocoa, which started its business in 1991, we can proudly say that our history of creating cocoa and chocolate happiness for our customers in Malaysia goes back 30 years….

Barry Callebaut has operated in Asia Pacific since 1997. The new APAC BEC in Malaysia underlines our long-term commitment to this Region. Over the last few decades, we have made significant investments in Malaysia and built up our presence in this country, from manufacturing to research and development of high-quality chocolate and cocoa products.

We are proud to provide end-to-end capabilities in the region, encompassing our cocoa sourcing and logistics center, our two cocoa and chocolate application labs, our cocoa R&D center, and our cocoa and chocolate factories.