Cobb has grand opening for new facility in China

To meet the growing demand of the Chinese market, Cobb-Vantress has built a new production complex in Suizhou, west of Shanghai. The official opening was held recently and attracted more than 40 guests from the country’s poultry industry.
The two-day Cobb China event began with inaugural presentations. The next day featured a tour of farm and hatchery facilities, which were developed at a cost of $35 million to meet the initial target of supplying five million Cobb500 parents a year. The facility is already receiving the first placement of grandparent stock.
In designing and constructing the complex, top priority has been given to biosecurity, which together with a well trained work force is seen as the key to producing consistently top-quality products.
The program on the first day included Cobb speakers who outlined the company’s global vision and Chinese marketing strategy, along with details of the new facilities planned and constructed over the past three years. In the evening, Cobb celebrated completion of the project and the 100^th anniversary of Cobb in 2016.
“This will be a game changer in the Chinese market,” said Dave Juenger, Cobb project director. “We have high expectations of consistently achieving top quality for our customers, and we are committed to producing mycoplasma-free breeding stock right from day one.
“In these state-of-the-art facilities, for instance, everyone is required to take three showers before coming into contact with the birds. This level of biosecurity is a prime example of Cobb’s commitment to preventing the introduction of disease on our facilities.”
Pelayo Casanovas, Cobb general manager for the Asia-Pacific region, said, “Our goal is to add value to our productsand to help improve the Chinese broiler industrythrough our commitment to delivering the best genetics combined with the best quality. And that means freedom from both MS and MG as well as Salmonella, and protection from disease for our customers.
“In addition, our technical services teams—locally and globally—will give our customers expert advice covering all aspects from house preparation, breeder and broiler management to meat yield so they can maximize the genetic potential that Cobb birds provide. This strategic support in China and the Asia-Pacific market generally will enable us to react quickly to help our customers whenever this is needed.”
Roy Mutimer, Cobb senior VP, said the Cobb research and development program focuses on making continually improving, well balanced products for customers. He spoke of Cobb strategies to expand production of breeding stock in every region to make sure that products are always available in the event of any local supply shortage. He also said the China project is aligned with the company’s strategy to expand poultry output, providing for increased consumption in Asia.