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W.R. Grace considering expansion in PahangB U S I N E S S Go elsewhere -----------------------
Saturday September 23, 2006
W.R. Grace considering expansion in Pahang
By SIMON KHOO
KUANTAN: W.R. Grace and Co, a global company specialising in chemicals and materials, is mulling over several expansion plans in Pahang.
President and chief executive officer Fred Festa said the company was presently carrying out trial production of a new grade of silica for beverages industries.
“If the trial runs well, we will look into making Kuantan our manufacturing centre for the Asia Pacific region.
Datuk Tan Aminuddin Ishak and Fred Festa
“We are now carrying out an evaluation and much will depend on the market.
“Several other expansion plans are also being considered as our silica plant in Kuantan has already achieved its maximum production capacity,” he said after paying a courtesy call to Deputy Mentri Besar Datuk Tan Aminuddin Ishak recently.
Festa was in Malaysia for the 10th anniversary of the group's manufacturing facility in Gebeng, Kuantan, operated by subsidiary W.R. Grace Specialty Chemicals (M) Sdn Bhd.
“From an initial capital investment of RM77mil in 1996, total investment now stands at RM177.1mil. “The plant produces more than 40 grades of amorphous silica that are used in a number of industrial applications such as paints, plastics, paper and consumer goods,” he said.
Festa said the Gebeng facility was the firm's fourth silica plant in the world after the ones located in the US, Germany and Brazil.
“It produces silica for the Asia Pacific, Australia and New Zealand markets,” he said, adding that 90% of the production was exported via Kuantan Port.
He said due to the fast growing market in China, Grace had relocated its Asia Pacific regional office from Singapore to Shanghai last year.
“The Asia Pacific region is important to us as it contributes over US$400mil in revenue.
“Our facilities in Malaysia play a vital role in our business strategy in Asia Pacific, which will be a cornerstone of our future growth,” he said.
Grace enjoys annual sales of more than US$2.5bil and operates in nearly 40 countries.
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