December 21, 2015
New Cobb complex opens in Huibei, China
Cobb-Vantress'' new production complex – based in Suizhou, Hubei province, China – was officially opened during a two-day event for more than 40 guests from the local poultry industry.
The Cobb China Grand Opening began with inaugural presentations and a celebratory dinner in the Westin Hotel, Wuhan, followed by a tour of the site on the second day.
On the first day, Cobb speakers outlined the company''s global vision and its Chinese marketing strategy along with details of new facilities planned and constructed over the past three years.
"(The complex) will be a game changer in the Chinese market," said Dave Juenger, Cobb''s project director. "We have high expectations of achieving top quality for our customers, and we are committed to producing mycoplasma-free breeding stock."
"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 prevent the introduction of disease on our facilities," Juenger added.
"Our goal is to add value to our products and to help improve the Chinese broiler industry through our commitment to delivering the best genetics combined with the best quality," said Pelayo Casanovas, Cobb''s general manager for the Asia-Pacific region. "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 maximise the genetic potential that Cobb birds provide. This strategic support in China and the Asia-Pacific market generally will enable us to respond quickly to our customers."
Roy Mutimer, Cobb''s senior vice president, said that the Cobb research and development programme focused on making better products for customers throughout the world. He spoke of Cobb strategies to expand production of breeding stock in every region to ensure products are readily available in the event of supply shortages.
The Chinese project, Mutimer added, was aligned with the company''s global strategy to expand poultry output and provide for rising consumption in Asia and worldwide.
Developed at a cost of US$35 million, the farm and hatchery facilities will supply the growing poultry market in China, with five million Cobb500 parents for its targeted yearly output in the initial phase.