Mondelēz International Unveils MYR 90 Million Investment in Crumb Tower, Deepening Commitment to Selangor and Malaysia

New Shah Alam facility strengthens Malaysia’s chocolate-manufacturing capability, builds local technical expertise and supports future regional supply.
 
SHAH ALAM, Sept 11 (Bernama) -- Mondelēz International Mondelēz International today officially launched its completed RM 90 million Crumb Tower at the Cadbury Confectionery plant in Shah Alam. The company’s single largest investment at the site reinforces its long-term confidence in Selangor and Malaysia as a strategic base for advanced chocolate manufacturing.
 
The investment builds on more than 50 years of Mondelēz’s manufacturing presence in Selangor, where Cadbury products have been made since 1974. It strengthens the Shah Alam plant’s chocolate manufacturing capabilities through greater automation, advanced process technology and enhanced operational efficiency supporting Malaysia’s competitiveness in high-value food manufacturing.
 
Central to the investment is the production of chocolate crumb, a key building block in the chocolate-making process. Previously imported from markets including South Africa and Australia, crumb can now be produced locally in Shah Alam. This strengthens the site’s self-sufficiency, builds supply-chain resilience and creates capacity to support markets beyond Southeast Asia.
 
The Crumb Tower integrates three advanced manufacturing systems: a fully enclosed high-capacity powder handling system, a new-generation T-reactor, the first of its design in Malaysia and an advanced fat handling system engineered to rigorous process-safety standards. Together, they enable a highly automated and digitally controlled production process. The facility was designed to meet international quality and food-safety standards, with Halal requirements integrated at every stage of production.
 
The Crumb Tower was officially launched by YAB Dato’ Seri Amirudin bin Shari, Dato’ Menteri Besar Selangor, who recognised the investment as a reflection of Selangor’s continued ability to attract and retain high-value manufacturing activities.
 
“Mondelēz’s continued investment in Shah Alam reflects the confidence global companies place in Selangor’s industrial ecosystem and talent. Investments in advanced technology and local capabilities are important to strengthening Selangor’s position as a competitive destination for high-value manufacturing.”
 
Echoing the significance of the investment to Malaysia’s broader manufacturing landscape, Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid, Chief Executive Officer of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), who was also present at the launch, said, “MIDA is pleased to have supported Mondelēz International in the development of its Crumb Tower at the Cadbury manufacturing facility in Shah Alam  This investment reflects the company’s continued confidence in Malaysia as a strategic manufacturing base, while demonstrating the value that quality investment can bring through advanced technology, local talent development, stronger domestic supply chains, and future export opportunities.
 
“Importantly, the localisation of chocolate crumb production strengthens Malaysia's manufacturing capabilities and supply chain resilience. Food manufacturing remains one of our most resilient and fastest-growing sub-sectors — securing RM4.9 billion in approved investments in the first half of 2026, a 40.9 per cent increase year-on-year. We welcome Mondelēz International's continued commitment to Malaysia and its contribution towards strengthening our position as a competitive regional hub for high-value and halal food manufacturing."
 
Simon Crowther, Managing Director of Mondelēz International Malaysia and Singapore, said the investment reflects the company’s confidence in Malaysia and the capabilities built at its Shah Alam operations over the past five decades. “The Crumb Tower reflects our continued commitment to investing in Malaysia and strengthening our manufacturing capabilities through advanced technology and local expertise. By producing crumb locally, we are building greater self-sufficiency while positioning Shah Alam to play a larger role within our regional manufacturing network.”
 
The Crumb Tower is a significant milestone for our Southeast Asia manufacturing and supply chain network. By bringing chocolate crumb production in-house at Shah Alam, we are not only strengthening supply-chain resilience and leveraging domestic production but also building world-class technical capabilities locally. The advanced systems we've integrated here — from the new-generation T-reactor to the automated powder and fat handling systems - set a benchmark for operational excellence. This positions the Shah Alam plant as a true reference site within our global manufacturing network and underscores our confidence in Malaysian talent and expertise." Nitin Binnani, SEA MSC Director, Mondelez International added.
 
Beyond production capacity, the investment is designed to strengthen local technical capabilities. Increased automation reduces the need for manual powder and fat handling while expanding the use of process control, data analysis and sophisticated equipment maintenance. Malaysian engineers and operators have been trained to manage the new systems, developing specialised manufacturing expertise locally.
 
The project has also supported the development of Malaysian suppliers. Local suppliers involved in the technology are now qualified to support other Mondelēz sites globally, extending the impact of the investment beyond the plant and building capability across the local manufacturing ecosystem.
 
The launch of the Crumb Tower further strengthens the long-standing relationship between Mondelēz International and Selangor. Since establishing manufacturing operations in Shah Alam in 1974, the company has continued to invest in the site to serve Malaysian consumers as well as export markets.
 
With this latest investment, the Shah Alam facility is positioned as a reference plant for chocolate crumb operations within Mondelēz’s global manufacturing network demonstrating how advanced technology, Malaysian expertise and long-term investment can strengthen Malaysia’s role in regional and global manufacturing.

About Mondelēz International (Malaysia)
 
Mondelēz International (Malaysia) is part of the Mondelēz International group of companies which empowers people to snack right in over 150 countries around the world, with a strong presence in Southeast Asia. With 2024 net revenues of approximately $36.4 billion, Mondelēz International is a member of the Standard and Poor's 500, Nasdaq 100 and Dow Jones Sustainability Index.
Mondelēz International is leading the future of snacking with iconic global and local brands such as Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolate, Cadbury Zip chocolate wafer, Cadbury 5 Star chocolate, Toblerone chocolate, OREO cookies, Chipsmore cookies, Jacob's biscuits, Tiger biscuits, Philadelphia cheese, Kraft cheese, Chacho’s chips, Chipster chips, Twisties snacks and many more. We've been part of Southeast Asia for more than 70 years, with operations in Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Our +7,000 colleagues work across our ten manufacturing locations (including plants in Shah Alam and Prai), two research and development technical centers and our sales and marketing network to create products that people can truly love and feel good about. From wholesome treats to indulgent bites, consumers can enjoy the right snack, for the right moment, made the right way.
 
Visit mondelezinternational.com and follow us on social media: 
facebook.com/mondelezinternational, instagram.com/mondelēz_international, linkedin.com/company/mondelezinternational and twitter.com/MDLZ

About MIDA
MIDA is the government’s principal investment promotion and development agency under the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) to oversee and drive investments into the manufacturing and services sectors in Malaysia. Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur Sentral, MIDA has 12 regional and 20 overseas offices. MIDA continues to be the strategic partner to businesses in seizing the opportunities arising from the technology revolution of this era. For more information, please visit http://www.mida.gov.my and follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok and YouTube channels. 

SOURCE: Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA)

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: 
Mondelēz International (Malaysia)
Name: Beatrice Wang 
Email: Beatrice.Wang@mdlz.com

PR Agency: Archetype Agency Malaysia 
Name: Aisyah Adlina
Email: mondelezca@archetype.co

MIDA
Name: Ms. Wan Hariati Wan Salleh
Director, Food Technology and Resource Based Industries Division, MIDA
Tel: +603 2267 6654 
Email: whariati@mida.gov.my    

--BERNAMA