Kedah-based SME Mudim Zakaria Invests RM10 Mln In High-tech Food Machinery
PENDANG, Feb 6 (Bernama) -- Food manufacturer Mudim Zakaria Food Industries Sdn Bhd has invested RM10 million in the purchase of high-technology machinery to increase production capacity and ensure the quality of its products.
The marketing and brand manager of the small and medium enterprise (SME), Mohd Izzad Al Syafiq Abdul Karim, said the new production machinery is capable of producing up to 12 million units of products annually, compared to about seven million units at present.
He said the company’s production had previously relied entirely on old machinery that was more than a decade old and was no longer able to cope with rising market demand.
“Last year, we produced 7.2 million units using the existing machines, even though their actual capacity was only about four million units a year, resulting in overuse beyond their limits,” Mohd Izzad told reporters here today.
He said that operating the machinery beyond its capacity had led to several product quality issues, particularly involving soy sauce and chilli sauce, forcing the company to recall several products from the market.
Mohd Izzad said the new production machinery, which is currently undergoing trial runs, is expected to ensure consistent quality and enhance the efficiency of the company’s production operations.
Meanwhile, the company is actively implementing product quality recovery measures following complaints from distributors and consumers since last year.
“We have tightened quality control and conducted a comprehensive investigation into the issues raised, including taking drastic action in the mechanical and technical aspects of production,” he said.
Mohd Izzad highlighted that the company’s halal certificate had previously been suspended for review in line with a new policy, but was reinstated on Dec 15 last year.
He clarified that the suspension was not due to the use of prohibited ingredients or product hygiene issues.
Mudim Zakaria Food Industries, which operates in Kampung Jelutong here, currently produces some 20 types of food products, including soy sauce, chilli sauce, vinegar, sardines and cooking powders, and has 2,000 distributors nationwide.
-- BERNAMA