Denver-based Leprino Foods Co. today opened a new business center in Singapore containing an Innovation Studio designed to create cheese and other diary products for the Asia-Pacific market.
Ted Wietecha, spokesman for the company, said that Leprino’s chefs at the studio will be working with customers – including U.S. and European restaurants moving into the Asia-Pacific market – to create products that appeal to the “tastes and choices” of the region.
“The Asia-Pacific market is rapidly expanding” including a demand for mozzarella cheese, said Wietecha.
He said Leprino Foods’ international sales have more than doubled during the past two years, and the Asia-Pacific market has played a “significant role” in that expansion.
He said the sales are driven by increased consumption of cheese and demand for whey and lactose which are used in confections, protein drinks and infant formulas.
Whey is a byproduct of cheese production.
Kevin Burke, Leprino’s senior vice president for global business development, said the Asia-Pacific market is part of Colorado company’s strategic planning.
“We’re deeply committed to helping our customers in the region win in the marketplace, and we’re proud to be opening the business center in Singapore,” said Burke. “Our investment in Asia will continue and increase over time, as we are committed for the long term.”
Wietecha said that because of non-disclosure agreements he can’t reveal what U.S. and European restaurants Leprino is working with in the Asia-Pacific market.
The Leprino business center and Innovation Studio is located in Singapore’s International Business Park. The Leprino business center, which is about 6,000 square feet, will include sales, field support, customer service and business development personnel.
Wietecha said that Leprino now has two Innovation Studios – one in Denver and one in Singapore.
Leprino has 10 production facilities in North America and two in the United Kingdom through a joint venture.
Leprino Foods holds more than 50 patents for mozzarella cheese-making technologies.
Howard Pankratz: 303-954-1939 or hpankratz@denverpost.com.
