D&L Industries Inc., the country’s leading market of customized food ingredients, specialty raw materials for plastics and oleochemicals for personal and home care use, said it will continue full operations to prevent any disruption in the supply in the food and sanitation chemicals sector.
D&L said in a statement it would fulfill its role in the Philippine manufacturing sector amid a challenging environment brought about by the new coronovirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
“We’re working in less than ideal operating conditions right now, facing challenges in logistics, supply disruptions, and reduced manpower. But as of now, we’re still able to maintain selected manufacturing capabilities, and I hope will continue to do so until the outbreak has been permanently contained,” said D&L president and chief executive Alvin Lao.
The company buys some of its raw materials from China. Lao said while some delays are expected, the company has found to alternative suppliers.
“I believe that as a good corporate citizen, it is our responsibility to keep our employees safe and make sure there are no major disruptions in manufacturing raw materials used in basic food items and sanitation products that are crucial during these times,” Lao said.
“The food ingredients that we manufacture go into canned goods, noodles, biscuits, and other shelf-stable snacks. We also manufacture sanitation chemicals such as alcohol, disinfectant spray, and sanitizer which are much needed due to current conditions,” he added.
Meanwhile, Lao said the company instituted strict precautionary measures to address employee health risks. It also adopted a work-from-home policy and put in a staggered attendance scheme.
The company released half of the 13th-month pay to employees on March 17 to help employees prepare and buy needed supplies for their homes.
D&L will pay salaries in full to all employees until the end of the enhanced community quarantine on April 13. Jenniffer B. Austria
“As a countermeasure, we are aligning resources to serve the increase in demand for immunity-boosting food supplements, cleaning solutions, alcohol, and disinfectants. We’ll do whatever we can on our part and join with the public in this fight to contain COVID-19,” Lao said.
“While there are a lot of uncertainties at this point, and the food ingredients business will likely take a hit with slower demand from the hotel/restaurant/catering (HoReCa) sector, we are optimistic that we can weather this storm given our strong balance sheet.”
