Expanding Horizons: AFB International Opens New Asia Pacific Headquarters and Manufacturing Facility in Thailand

At AFB International, we’re excited to announce a major milestone in our global journey: the opening of our Asia Pacific Regional Headquarters and cutting-edge manufacturing facility in Samut Prakan, Thailand. This new facility isn’t just a building—it’s a reflection of our commitment to the fast-growing pet food industry in Asia and our drive to better meet the needs of our customers across the region. 

As Dale Spence, President of AFB International, puts it: “The opening of our first plant in Thailand marks a major milestone in our global expansion efforts. This facility strengthens our commitment to the region, allowing us to better serve our customers with enhanced efficiency, speed, and local support.” 

A State-of-the-Art Facility Designed for You 

At AFB International, our mission has always been clear: to be wherever our customers need us most. That’s why today is such a significant milestone, as we celebrate the opening of our very first facility and regional headquarters in Asia—right here in Thailand. This isn’t just about growth for AFB; it’s about helping you, our valued partners, grow your business with stronger, more localized support. 

This new hub will serve as a critical operational center, helping us streamline production, increase efficiency, and ensure a more reliable supply chain. By producing closer to our customers, we’ll be able to deliver faster service, reduce lead times, and respond more quickly to evolving market demands. Ultimately, it’s all about providing the best possible experience for our customers. 

Our new Thailand facility isn’t just a building—it’s a resource for you. We’ve equipped it with quality labs for product testing, R&D labs for product development and formulation, and collaboration spaces designed for meetings, project debriefs, and problem-solving. This facility was built to support your goals. The more we know about your needs from the start, the better we can design palatants that deliver outstanding performance while meeting your specific attribute, technical, and regulatory requirements. 

Why Thailand? A Strategic Location for Innovation 

We’re thrilled to be in Thailand, a country known for its innovation and leadership in the pet food industry. But more importantly, we’re here because you asked us to be. Our customers told us what matters most: faster technical support, accelerated product development, and best-in-class customer service. And we listened. 

With our new facility, we’re delivering on those promises. You’ll experience significant improvements in lead times, product consistency with cutting-edge equipment, and unrivaled on-time delivery. For those already familiar with AFB’s proven portfolio of palatant solutions, this expansion brings even more benefits—better shelf-life for your products, reduced logistics-related uncertainty, and less impact on working capital. In short, being closer means better support for your business. 

Thailand is more than just a location—it’s a strategic choice. As the world’s third-largest pet food exporter, following the USA and France, Thailand has earned its place as a hub of innovation in the pet food industry.  

“Thailand aligns perfectly with our commitment to advancing product development and manufacturing excellence,” says Bas Melssen, our General Manager/Vice President of Asia Pacific. “By establishing our Asia Pacific headquarters here, we’re able to leverage Thailand’s leadership in the sector, further enhancing our ability to innovate and meet the growing demands of the region.” 

Sustainability at the Core 

We’re proud to say that this new facility is more than just a step toward growth—it’s a step toward a more sustainable future.  

“Our Thailand facility is a crucial step in aligning our operational goals with our sustainability objectives,” noted Stephanie Hackmann, Vice President of Global Operations. “By localizing production, we’re able to serve our customers more efficiently, respond faster to their needs, and significantly reduce transportation-related emissions—a win for both efficiency and the environment.” 

Bringing Industry Leaders Together as a Partner for Growth 

We were thrilled to welcome over 130 guests from seven countries, including representatives from leading pet food manufacturers and trade associations, at our grand opening ceremony. It was a celebration of not only our company’s growth but also the progress of the pet food industry across Asia. 

We’re all part of a unique, fast-growing industry. As the global pet population rises and consumers continue to seek high-quality, nutrient-rich pet food, the demand for palatability solutions will only increase. That’s where AFB Thailand comes in. We’re here to help you capture that demand and deliver pet food that not only meets consumers’ high standards but keeps them coming back—because, as we say, AFB Makes Pet Food Taste Great! 

This new facility marks a critical step forward, both for AFB and for our customers across Asia. We’re excited about what this means for your business and how we can partner with you to innovate, accelerate growth, and continue delivering the highest-quality products to your markets. Read the media announcement.

Join Us at Pet Fair South East Asia 2024 

And the celebration doesn’t stop there! Later this week, we’ll continue the festivities at Pet Fair South East Asia 2024, running from October 30 to November 1 at the Bangkok International Trade & Exhibitions Center (BITEC). We invite all industry professionals to visit our booth N01, join the festivities, and learn more about the exciting new chapter we’re starting with our facility in Thailand. 

As Bas Melssen summed up perfectly: “This is a proud moment not only for our company but for the community we are becoming a part of.” We’re excited to see what the future holds for AFB International in Asia, and we can’t wait to continue this journey with our valued customers, partners, and industry leaders. 

Contact us for more information  

For more information on how our new Thailand facility or any of our other seven manufacturing facilities around the globe can help you improve the palatability of your pet food product, please contact Bas Melssen at thailand@afbinternational.com in Asia Pacific or visit afbinternational.com/contact to find a representative in your region.