Mitsubishi to Build Beverage Factory in Indonesia

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Mitsubishi Corporation plans to build a soft drink production plant in Indonesia. In the company's official website, Mitsubishi Corporation Management said that the investment will be carried out in cooperation with tea beverage producer from Thailand, Ichitan Group.

The investment is said to be carried out by Mitsubishi through PT Atri Pasifik, a joint venture company established by Mitsubishi with PT Sigmantara Afindo, a company that owns Alfamart retail shops. Atri Pasifik and Ichitan Group have shelled out US$34.2 million for the development of the plant in 2016. Both companies will have an equal share of the company and the products will be marketed under the Ichitan trademark.

Mitsubishi said that they are interested to work together with Ichitan because the company has a good reputation and extensive knowledge in the field of beverages industry. The marketing and distribution of the finished products will be handled by Atri Pasifik's retail network, which covers both traditional and modern markets. Mitsubishi is optimistic that the market for tea beverages will continue to grow. One of Mitsubishi’s considerations was the fact that the market for tea beverages has been increasing steadily by 13 percent each year following the increase of the middle-class consumers.

Director of PT Sumber Alfaria Trijaya Hans Prawira, said that he has not received information about the project. "I think that this is the work of the corporate division that is not related directly to Alfamart," he said.

AMIR TEJO