Universal Robina Corp. Unveils State-of-the-Art Flour Milling Plant in Sariaya, Quezon

Universal Robina Corporation (URC), one of the Philippines' leading food and beverage companies, has opened a P5.4 billion flour milling plant in Sariaya, Quezon Province, marking a significant growth of its operations.

The URC Flour Sariaya plant will boost the company's milling capacity to almost 3,500 metric tons per day, a significant increase from its existing capacity of 2,180 MT.
 
“We are seeing an ever-growing demand for our products,” said Irwin C. Lee, President and CEO of URC. “This new flour mill will allow us to meet that demand, maintain the quality of our products, and keep our price point competitive.”

The plant features cutting-edge, completely automated milling technology, a first in the Philippines. This innovative system merges roller mill management and monitoring, maximizing output, decreasing waste, and increasing overall efficiency. It is also capable of completely automated packaging activities, which can help to increase productivity and decrease waste.
 
In his speech at the plant’s launch, Lance Y. Gokongwei, Chairman of URC and President and CEO of JG Summit Holdings, emphasized the strategic significance of the facility. “With the launch of this new flour mill, we are helping lay a solid foundation in advancing food production and security in our country. The addition of this new plant, which is our largest, brings our total milling capacity to an extraordinary 3,470 tons per day, which is equivalent to over 104,100 bags daily,” said Gokongwei. “By significantly increasing our milling capacity and adopting cutting-edge technology, this facility ensures more efficient flour production, which translates to reduced costs for end-users. This efficiency not only supports food security but also contributes to stabilizing commodity prices, mitigating inflationary pressures, and ultimately making essential goods more affordable for Filipino families.”

Gokongwei also highlighted URC’s unwavering confidence in the country’s economic future, adding, “This P5.4 billion investment is an affirmation of our confidence in our economy and the conducive investment climate in our country.  It is also a concrete manifestation of our steadfast support to improving our nation’s food security, aligned to the priorities of His Excellency President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. to enhance agricultural productivity and strengthen the grain sector.”

The 10-hectare facility will generate at least 150 new jobs in the local community, consistent with URC's commitment to promoting local development. The mill's advantageous position in Sariaya also serves the company's overall aims of contributing to the Philippine economy and ensuring a consistent supply of flour for the region.

The inauguration, held on November 29, 2024, was attended by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., who commended URC’s role in strengthening the country’s food security. “In a time when every grain counts, this establishment will aid in ensuring that our people have the resources they need to nourish themselves and the future of our nation,” said President Marcos.

Also present were key government figures, including Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.; Department of Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III; Sariaya Mayor Marcelo Gayeta and his wife Marivic Gayeta; and Representative David Suarez of the Second District of Quezon Province.

Speaking about the facility’s capabilities and Earth-friendly design features, URC’s Lee shared, “URC Flour Sariaya is a testament to our unwavering dedication to innovation, quality and growth. With its enhanced technology, substantial capacity and focus on community development, the plant is poised to become a cornerstone of URC’s progress and a catalyst for positive change in the area.” 

The URC Flour Sariaya plant is the most recent addition to URC's flour milling network, which comprises its initial facility in Pasig, which began operations in 1970, and another in Davao, which opened in 1991. With this new factory, URC is well-positioned to handle the increased demand for flour while also ensuring an ongoing supply of affordable, high-quality food items for Filipino households.