In an exciting development on Thursday, 18 July, Thai Union unveiled its cutting-edge, 8,000-metric-ton cold store for the Pioneer Food Cannery (PFC) factory. Nestled in Tema, just a stone’s throw from the PFC manufacturing plant, this state-of-the-art facility promises to revolutionize temperature-controlled storage for Atlantic tuna. With its four spacious storage halls and an efficient sorting and sizing facility, the cold store is already buzzing with activity, fortifying Thai Union’s supply chain and solidifying their manufacturing capabilities.
This impressive USD 14 million investment is a game-changer for Thai Union and PFC, as it ensures the factory operates seamlessly throughout the year. By streamlining and vertically integrating their supply chain, the facility not only boosts production performance but also elevates the overall yield.
Johnny Ladouce, Plant Director for PFC, expressed his enthusiasm by stating, “Thanks to our new cold store, we’ll reduce traffic and CO2 emissions while maintaining year-round production, regardless of fish supply fluctuations. Our commitment to Ghana and the local communities in Tema is stronger than ever, as we continue to provide both direct and indirect jobs.”
Echoing this sentiment, Thiraphong Chansiri, President and CEO of Thai Union Group, highlighted the strategic importance of the PFC factory. “Our PFC factory is crucial for our brands in Europe and the U.S. This investment enhances our security of supply and strengthens our competitive edge. Future investments at PFC will focus on our SeaChange® 2030 sustainability plan, which aims to further reduce emissions through solar panel installations and initiatives to minimize landfill waste, water discharge, and food loss.”
The new cold store supersedes PFC’s previous reliance on scattered, rented cold storage spaces around the city. By consolidating everything into one advanced facility, the company slashes rental costs and minimizes truck trips for raw product transport. The in-house processing capability ensures superior control over product quality, from storage to shipment, giving PFC a significant competitive edge.
Operating since 1973 and brought under the Thai Union umbrella in 2010, PFC stands as the Group’s second-largest factory in Africa, employing around 1,100 people. The factory produces for Thai Union’s market-leading brands, including John West (top brand in the UK and the Netherlands), Petit Navire (number one in France), MareBlu (second largest in Italy), and various private-label customers across Europe. Additionally, PFC is renowned for its leading ambient tuna brand in Ghana, Starkist.
As Thai Union continues to innovate and expand its capabilities, the new cold store marks a pivotal step toward a more sustainable and efficient future. The company’s dedication to integrating eco-friendly practices and supporting local communities underscores their commitment to long-term growth and resilience. Watch this space as Thai Union and PFC set new standards in the seafood industry!
This is such a great development for Ghana. I hope this will lead to more job opportunities for the local community.
Absolutely! With more jobs, the local economy will surely benefit. But I am worried about the environmental impact despite the sustainability claims.
That’s a good point, Kwame. Hopefully, the sustainability measures like the SeaChange® 2030 plan will genuinely minimize the environmental footprint.
I doubt they’ll be as environmentally conscious as they claim. Big corporations always talk big about sustainability but rarely follow through on the ground.
Investing $14M is no small feat but doesn’t this also show how much control these foreign companies have over our resources?
Exactly! We should be careful about becoming overly dependent on foreign investments. Local enterprises need to be nurtured too.
While it’s important to support local businesses, foreign investments are essential for economic growth, especially for developing countries. Balance is crucial.
How are they ensuring that the workers in the factory are receiving fair wages and not being exploited?
It’s good to see the investments in infrastructure, but what about the potential for overfishing with increased production?
I am thrilled to see a focus on reducing emissions. Solar panels and other eco-friendly initiatives are steps in the right direction.
Right, Razia. If they actually follow through with those plans, it will make a huge difference!
We should keep an eye on their progress and hold them accountable if they fall short.
I’ll believe it when I see it. Too many times companies make these promises just to greenwash their image.
While this is great news for production, I worry about the increased CO2 emissions from transportation and operation.
This is a smart business move. Consolidating storage will definitely reduce costs and improve efficiency. Kudos to Thai Union!
Are there any measures in place to ensure that the local community truly benefits from this investment? Too often, locals are left out of the development gains.
Great question! It would be useful to have more transparency on how the jobs and benefits are being distributed.
What about the health of the tuna populations? Increased production could lead to overfishing, which would harm marine ecosystems.
Good point, Chinelo. Sustainable fishing practices need to be a part of this increased production to protect the ecosystem.
From a business standpoint, this investment makes total sense. However, we need to ensure it doesn’t come at the cost of environmental degradation.
I hope they also consider using more renewable energy sources. Modern facilities should strive to be as green as possible.
How feasible is it to maintain zero landfill waste and minimal water discharge? Sounds like a tall order to me.
It’s definitely challenging but not impossible. With the right technology and commitment, they can achieve it.
Focusing on both economic and sustainability aspects is essential. This project could set a standard for others in the industry.
The promise of reducing traffic and CO2 emissions is commendable if they can actually deliver on it.
Exactly, Effah. Companies often make these promises but delivering on them is another story.
We’ll just have to wait and see how it pans out. Let’s hope for the best while being vigilant.
How does this investment affect the competition in the local tuna market? Will it lead to monopolization?
It’s great that they are cutting down on rentals and transport; that’ll likely save a lot of money in the long run.
Indeed, Jacob. Reducing operational costs will improve their margins, which is great for stakeholders.
The new storage facility is impressive, but I hope they keep a close eye on maintaining tuna quality during storage and transport.
Will increased production mean more affordable tuna for consumers? I certainly hope so.