Fonterra expands customer innovation capability in Chengdu
Fonterra has opened its upgraded Chengdu Application Centre, bringing New Zealand dairy expertise closer to customers in one of China’s fastest-growing regions.
First opened in 2015, the Chengdu Application Centre has moved to a more central location in the city’s Jinjiang District. With the upgraded facilities, Fonterra’s technical experts, chefs and customers are now better empowered to develop, test and showcase food and beverage products.
Teh-han Chow, CEO Greater China, Fonterra
Teh-han Chow, CEO Greater China, Fonterra, says the investment builds on Fonterra’s nearly half-century presence in China and reflects the Co-op’s focus on staying close to customers in a fast-moving market.
“China’s foodservice sector is evolving quickly, and our customers are looking for dairy solutions that help them respond to changing consumer tastes with speed, quality and confidence.
“Through our upgraded Chengdu Application Centre, we can co-create more closely with customers, develop more relevant applications, and bring the benefits of premium New Zealand grass-fed dairy to more Chinese consumers across Southwest China and beyond.
“By bringing our technical expertise closer to customers in Chengdu, we can better understand local needs, move faster on new ideas and help turn those insights into practical foodservice solutions.”
By bringing our technical expertise closer to customers in Chengdu, we can better understand local needs, move faster on new ideas and help turn those insights into practical foodservice solutions.
New modern kitchens will allow customers to see how Fonterra products perform in applications such as cakes and beverages, supported by seminars, demonstrations and virtual learning sessions led by Anchor Food Professionals advisory chefs.
Chengdu, the megacity capital of Sichuan province, is known for its spicy food and teahouse culture. In 2010, it became the first city in Asia to be named a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, making it a natural place for Fonterra to expand its local investment.
Alongside sites in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Wuhan, Chengdu is one of six Fonterra application centres in China. This network helps Fonterra work closely with customers to understand changing food trends, support innovation, grow demand for New Zealand milk and deliver more value for farmer shareholders.