Starbucks to make its largest investment outside US in China

Starbucks has recently unveiled plan to build a coffee innovation park in eastern China, which is also its largest manufacturing investment outside the US.
The innovation park which needs an investment of US$130 million, will be located in Kunshan Economic and Technological Development Zone, Jiangsu Province, and will incorporate the entire supply chain including import and export of coffee beans, roasting, packaging, warehousing, distribution and training.
The construction of the facility will start in 2nd half of 2020. Once completed in 2022, it will offer high quality specialty coffee for all stores on mainland China, while also serving as a key component of Starbucks’ global roasting network. Belinda Wong, Starbucks China Chairman and CEO said, “Starbucks has spent the past 20 years sharing its passion for coffee across China. The coffee innovation park will set a blueprint for the future of coffee roasting and supply chain management and further elevate China’s coffee industry ‘while supporting Starbucks’ growth in China, with China.”
Starbucks has more than 4,300 stores in mainland China and it hopes to increase this to 6,000 stores by 2022.
Meanwhile, the new coffee innovation park will also incorporate advancements in sustainable manufacturing, smart supply chain innovation and technology to support the aspiration to deliver the most energy and water-efficient roasting operations for Starbucks in the world, while minimising waste. The new roasting plant facility will be designed with the intent to apply for US Green Building Council LEED Platinum certification, as well as China’s Three Star Green Building standards.