Coronavirus Pandemic Delays Aice’s New Ice Cream Factory Project in Indonesia

BEKASI, KOMPAS.com – Construction of Singaporean brand Aice's third ice cream factory in Indonesia has been delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The project site is in Indonesia’s Sei Mangkei Special Economic Zone in Sumatra. It is Aice’s latest step in expanding its ice cream business in Indonesia.

The initial target for completion of the new factory was 2020, said Aice Group Brand Manager Sylvana Zhong detailed. The Covid-19 virus, however, disrupted the construction phase.

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“In the beginning, our target was to have it completed in December, but because the pandemic, we won’t be meeting such target,” Sylvana said.

The pandemic hindered the importation of machinery needed for the construction of the ice cream factory in Indonesia. 

The company now aims to complete the ice cream factory construction in Indonesia next year.

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“We don’t actually know when we will finish it, but hopefully by 2021. If the coronavirus pandemic continues even longer, then we can’t say exactly when the project will be completed,” said Sylvana.

The upcoming Aice ice cream factory will be around the same size as its existing one in East Java.

The newer factory will feature enhanced building design.

That information was shared by the Legal Manager of PT Alpen Food Industry, Simon Audry Halomoan.

“The factory in East Java is around 4,412 square meters which will be about the same at the new factory. But the building design will be better at the factory in Sumatra,” said Simon.

Aice’s ice cream factory in Indonesia will also require a large amount of investment particularly for its newer project in Sumatra.

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The investment needed already differs from what was needed for its East Java factory. Simon did not specify the exact figure in investment.

“Bottom line, the investment for the construction of Aice’s ice cream factories in East Java and Sumatra requires more than Rp 500 billion in total,” said Simon.

Although Aice is a Singaporean brand, it operates two factories in Indonesia.

It is known in Indonesia for its widely affordable ice cream products which the company says is due to its ability to source quality local ingredients at competitive prices.

Aice ice creams are sold at traditional kiosks (warung) in Indonesia which is the company’s approach to enter the traditional market. 

(Writer: Elsa Catriana | Editor: Erlangga Djumena) 

Source: https://money.kompas.com/read/2020/07/05/162200726/pembangunan-pabrik-es-krim-aice-senilai-rp-500-miliar-molor-ini-sebabnya