URC Subsidiary URMunchy’s Inaugurates State-of-the-Art R&D Centre in Malaysia

URC leaders and the URMunchy’s team gather in front of the new R&D Centre in Pasir Gudang, Malaysia, to celebrate the facility's grand opening on March 11, 2025.

Universal Robina Munchy’s (URMunchy’s), the Malaysian subsidiary of leading Philippine food and beverage company Universal Robina Corporation (URC), has officially opened its Research and Development (R&D) Centre in Pasir Gudang, Malaysia. The launch, held on March 11, 2025, strengthens URMunchy’s commitment to delivering breakthrough innovation, product excellence, and enhanced consumer experiences across regional and global markets.

​The inauguration ceremony began with a welcome address by Rodney Wong, Vice President of URMunchy’s and International Trading Operations, setting the tone for a day centered on creativity, collaboration, and discovery.

Irwin C. Lee, URC President and CEO, delivered the keynote address, emphasizing the strategic importance of the new R&D Centre in accelerating URMunchy’s innovation pipeline. He highlighted the lab’s role in driving forward-thinking solutions and strengthening the company’s ambition to lead in snack innovation across the region.
 
A ceremonial ribbon-cutting marked the official opening of the facility, led by Lee and Wong. This was followed by the unveiling of the R&D laboratory by Naveen Kumar, Director of R&D–South Cluster. Equipped with advanced testing and product development technologies, the lab is designed to fast-track the creation of high-quality snacks tailored to evolving consumer tastes.

Guests were invited to experience “Snackotopia–The Ultimate Taste Adventure,” an immersive tour featuring three innovation stations: Savory, Sweet, and Packaging. Over 50 product samples were showcased, ranging from savory baked goods and snack chips to sweet baked treats and chocolate creations. More than 10 packaging innovations were also presented, highlighting cost-effective, festive, and sustainable formats aligned with URC’s environmental goals.

The R&D team further demonstrated advancements in Hybrid Technology Products, which combine multi-sensory experiences with novel ingredients and processing methods. Visitors also got a glimpse of future-forward product innovation areas, including health and wellness, and emerging technologies that aim to meet the needs and desires of tomorrow’s consumers.

The launch of the R&D Centre in Pasir Gudang marks a significant leap forward for URMunchy’s, ushering in a new era of innovation, collaboration, and excellence. The facility empowers cross-functional teams to co-create, test, and scale new product ideas more efficiently—enabling the company to stay ahead of shifting market preferences. It reinforces URMunchy’s mission to craft delightful, high-quality snacks while continuously pushing the boundaries of product development.

The event was graced by key executives from both URC and URMunchy’s. In attendance from the Philippine-based parent company were David Lim Jr., Chief Technology Officer; Atty. Lisa Abalajon, Chief Human Resources Officer; Francisco Del Mundo, Chief Finance and Strategy Officer; and Charles Bernard Tañega, Corporate Treasurer. Representing URMunchy’s were Karen Ong, Senior Marketing Director; Ng Boon Tong, Integrated Supply Chain (ISC) Director; and various employees whose dedication continues to fuel the company’s success in Malaysia and beyond.