Jebsen & Jessen Ingredients (JJING), the ingredients business unit of diversified industrial conglomerate Jebsen & Jessen Group has forged a strategic partnership with AB Food & Beverages (Thailand) (ABFT) to expand malt distribution across Southeast Asia.
JJING will serve as the primary distributor of ABFT’s malt products across the region spanning Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines.
As ABFT ventures upstream into the ingredients sector in Southeast Asia, this partnership will see their high-quality malt products made available for the first time to food and drink manufacturers across the region.
As part of the partnership, JJING, as the primary distributor, will tap on its extensive distribution network and deep knowledge of regional markets to distribute ABFT’s malt products, which include Dried Malt Extracts and Liquid Malt Extracts.
Ratana Vongmukdaporn, Regional Business Line Head – Food and Pharmaceutical & Personal Care, Jebsen & Jessen Ingredients (Thailand) Ltd said, “We’re seeing rapid traction and strong interest in ABFT’s malt products, with initial orders already secured. We expect to see continued strong demand across the market for these ingredients to meet the evolving tastes of Southeast Asian consumers.”
With the demand for malt-based foods, drinks and supplements – including baby food, craft beers, health supplements, and protein-rich diets – surging due to the increasing popularity of organic food and a growing awareness of malt’s nutritional benefits, the addition of ABFT’s malt products to JJING’s existing malt range will diversify and expand its malt portfolio to customers in the region.
Through its Regional Innovation Labs, JJING will also utilise and incorporate ABFT’s malt products to develop new formulations and ingredient applications tailored to diverse consumer taste profiles.
Ian Kavanagh, Regional Operations Director SEA, AB Food & Beverages (Thailand) Ltd added, “The partnership with Jebsen & Jessen Ingredients will allow our high-quality malt products to be used for food and beverage formulations across the region and serve as a good foundation for us to unlock new avenues for innovation and drive growth.”
AB Food and Beverages (Thailand) Limited (ABFT) was incorporated in 1987 and it manufactures popular food and beverage brands including Ovaltine nutritional beverage and Twinings tea. The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Associated British Foods Plc (ABF) which reported sales revenue of approximately US$20 billion annually.
