MANAMA: The country’s biggest supplier of locally-produced fresh eggs is doubling its capacity to produce almost 100 million a year under an expansion plan that is set to start next week.

Established in 1977, General Poultry Company (GPC) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bahrain’s sovereign wealth fund, Mumtalakat.

The move will transform GPC into a fully-automated operation using state-of-the-art technology, with the highest level of biosecurity and premium food safety standards within the poultry farming and table egg production category, company officials have said.

While the financial terms of the project were not disclosed, the GDN has learned that the new facilities are likely to be ready by August next year.

From its farm located in Hamala, GPC currently produces 136,000 cartons of eggs per annum – around 49 million – with a 65 per cent share of local production and 18pc of the total market supply.

The company announced it has commissioned Big Dutchman from Germany, the world’s leading poultry feeding systems and housing equipment manufacturer, to build and erect the farm equipment for eight new bird rearing and egg production facilities. 

GPC has also partnered with Moba, a leading manufacturer of egg grading, packing and processing equipment in the Netherlands, to provide state-of-the-art machinery.

The project construction contract has been awarded to Bahraini firm Bokhowa Group, after a public bidding process under the supervision of the Tender Board.

The contract was signed by GPC chief executive Wael Itani and Bokhowa Group operations director Hisham Bokhowa, in the presence of GPC chairman Sami Zainal and Bokhowa Group general manager Anis Kumar.

“This is going to be a game-changer for the poultry industry in the kingdom, as we double the company’s production capacity gradually,” said Mr Zainal.

Support from Mumtalakat, the government and its various directorates, has been overwhelmingly positive, he added. 

“Everyone is fully engaged,” said Mr Zainal. “They maintain constant contact to see how the project is evolving and we are grateful for this strong show of support from our stakeholders, which enabled the board of directors and the executive management to focus on developing this important industry and consider future expansion.”

Besides improving the farm’s operational efficiency through automation and technology, the revamp will also enhance food security and provide more jobs for Bahrainis, GPC officials said.

“We will continue to recruit and develop Bahraini talent,” Mr Itani said. “Capitalising on local talent and nurturing a team of trustworthy leaders and co-workers is an essential element for our success.”

The company’s top executive added that once the expansion is complete, GPC would have migrated from manual to data-driven management.

“GPC will be the only table egg production company in Bahrain, and amongst a select few in the region, with an innovative, technologically-advanced poultry farm,” said Mr Itani.

“We are partnering with local talent and tailoring our in-house operational and management platforms to drive efficiency and promote transparency.” 

Also in the works are ISO 9001, 14001, 45001, and FSSC 22000 certifications for quality, food safety and biosecurity, which the company expects to achieve by the end of the year.

GPC is already HACCP certified, meeting international food safety standards.

avinash@gdn.com.bh

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