Partner Perspectives
Country Manager Indofood CBP Sukses Makmur Tbk, General Manager of Savlon

Indofood is Indonesia's largest food company and owner of the Indomie brand. Launched in 1970, Indomie has commanded up to 90% of Indonesia's instant noodle market, earning it a reputation as the country's "national noodle." Indomie is also the world's "best-selling instant noodles," with annual sales of 17 billion packs in 120 countries worldwide,

Indofood's Taiwan representative Amy Kao says that Indomie was first introduced to Taiwan as part of Indofood's commitment to corporate responsibility: the company hoped that Indonesian workers could enjoy authentic flavors from home and Halal certified food in Taiwan. With the rise of Taiwan's instant noodle market and the increasing popularity of Southeast Asian cuisine, Indomie has expanded to serve Taiwan's local consumer market through PX Mart, Carrefour, and other major retail channels.

Amy Kao brings extensive experience in marketing, sales, and cross-department affairs to her job from previous positions at several major international food and FMCG companies and retail channels. After teaming up with THL in July 2017, she has chalked up impressive results through channel integration and investment in brand marketing, trade and media. Leading supermarket chain PX Mart announced sales data ranking Indomie Mie Goreng as the third-best selling brand of instant noodle in 2018, trailing only Taiwan brands Science Noodles and Uni-President Minced Pork Flavored Instant Noodles.

Kao believes that competitiveness hinges on tapping synergies with a combined effect greater than the sum of their separate effects. "THL is an exceptionally trustworthy and reputable company in the industry. It is also an excellent partner for tapping synergies." Kao deeply appreciates the support from the THL team. In the areas of price calculation, sell-in & sell-out, and inventory management, and promotion effectiveness analysis, the company is particularly fair, transparent, and able to consider things from the perspective of maximizing brand sales and investment efficiency, making cooperation a joy!

With over 40 years of history in Taiwan, Savlon has has grown to become the leading brand of antibacterial body cleaning products in the market today. During this time the brand has fostered an image for healthy antibacterial products made with a proprietary ICP formula that thoroughly cleans and inhibits most types of bacteria. Savlon's full range of mild and non-irritating shower gel products are also free of triclosan, soap, alcohol, and the preservative paraben.

Savlon CEO Sally Chen says that since winning management rights for Savlon in 2015, the THL Group has extended the brand's channels to small and medium supermarkets, including volume sellers, convenience stores, and franchises. It is also expanding in the gift market and drug store channels. In terms of product development, Savlon will continue its long-term focus on core brand value in family care. It is exploring a line of care wipe products for the senior care market and new scented shower gels for younger consumers. The company is also making adjustments and changes to upgrade its brand feel.

When Sally took over the reins as General Manager of Savlon last October, she brought to her new job more than 20 years of experience in procurement and business operations at large foreign companies, among them P&G. Since joining THL, she has been deeply impressed by the team synergy at the group. "Terence is an extremely open and quick-thinking CEO," she says. She recalls several discussions with Terence over business strategy, noting that the THL CEO had a knack for quickly finding solutions that combine resources across different departments, brands and subsidiaries to maximize synergies. The enthusiasm and proactive spirit of the company management has further impressed Sally that THL is a high caliber company able to leverage powerful synergies.