CPF food deal helps 'make America great again'

By Cimi Suchontan 
The Nation

 

 

Charoen Pokphand Foods’ (CPF) Bt38 billion acquisition of US food giant Bellisio last year was one step towards “make America great again”, said US ambassador Glyn Davies yesterday, referring to the policy shift under the Trump administration to rebuild its economy.

 

The massive Thai investment will be a “win-win for both countries”, he said, as thousands of American jobs were saved and created as a result of the deal.

 

The move was also positive as it increased the volume of US exports, a bone of contention over years of experiencing trade deficits with other countries.

 

As of last week, the US packaged meals were sold at CPF’s outlets nationwide that included 7-Elevens and other key convenience stores.

 

At the same time the purchase has allowed the Thai conglomerate to gain access to 50,000 retail outlets nationwide.

 

“Americans have learned to love Thai food during the last 20 years,” Davies said at his residence while hosting the official launch of the venture to bring Bellisio’s “Boston Market” brand foods to the Kingdom.

 

“We hope Thais will also learn to develop a taste for American food as well.”

 

Tom yum kung sandwiches were served along with fettuccini in chicken cream sauce at the event that also celebrate 200 years of Thai-US trade relations.

 

CP chairman Dhanin Chearavanont and his son, group CEO Supachai Chearavanont jointly presided over the function with Davies as scores of newsmen and diplomats look on.

 

Davies was full of praise for Dhanin calling him a visionary businessman with many forward looking ideas.

 

“I met Dhanin two years ago and I was very impressed by him and his goal of investing in the US.

 

He was amazed Dhanin was able to keep his word and sealed the deal in two years, a feat if speed and conviction.

 

Supachai said the investment was one of CPF’s moves to invest more abroad and that the Bellisio deal “was the largest the company has ever made so far”.

 

Davies also said he expected to see more Thai companies make similar inroads into the US while American counterparts look for Thai partners to tap commercial opportunities.

 

He said the remarkable 200-year friendship and bilateral ties, first inked by King Rama II’s court and US president James Munroe in 1818, has survived two centuries, fostering a better understanding and a common goal for trade and prosperity.

 

When asked about the danger of Thailand being labeled a currency manipulator, Davies said he did not see a problem and that the countries would be “able to work it out”.

 

He did not disclosed Dhanin’s private conversations about his expectations for the global economy but said the tycoon saw a more globalised economy which should bind people rather than divide them.

 

Dhanin advised Davies to “eat nourishing food, exercise and sleep in a natural and tranquil surrounding”.

 

The chairman said he was not likely to see his predictions come true in 30 years but that Davies would be able to witnessed them.

 

The ambassador replied that he expected to greet Dhanin when he returned to Thailand during that time to celebrate close ties.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30336625

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-01-19

w.t.f american food, so we see more overweight thais

Highly processed artificial foods, loaded with fats, oils, and empty calories. They will make everybody great, in diameter.

Time to buy stocks in companies selling insulin.

1 hour ago, webfact said:

As of last week, the US packaged meals were sold at CPF’s outlets nationwide that included 7-Elevens and other key convenience stores.

Sooooo, let me see.

 

An increase in American processed food at 7-11 and other convenience stores.

 

A crackdown on low-cost street food.

 

I certainly don't see any connections... 

If they sell Boston Market's meatloaf at my local 7-11, I am all for it!! 

2 hours ago, dahinni said:

w.t.f american food, so we see more overweight thais

Thais don't need American food for obesity...look around man....the deep fried diet on top of 2 kilos of white rice isn't exactly sanctioned by the Healthy Heart Society. 

 

Here in BKK, many girls are chunking up...while a little meat on the bones is OK...I have noticed a disturbing trend in the past few years. 

59 minutes ago, Somtamnication said:

If they sell Boston Market's meatloaf at my local 7-11, I am all for it!! 

Oh yummy yummy !!

2 hours ago, webfact said:

“We hope Thais will also learn to develop a taste for American food as well.”

Thais thankfully do not eat stuff from a can.  If they introduced Key Lime Pie, that might be positive.  That is the only thing that comes to mind. 

Plastic food for plastic people in a plastic waste environment!

Soylent Green soon coming to a shop near you.

Edited January 19, 20188 yr by Lupatria

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Davies also said he expected to see more Thai companies make similar inroads into the US while American counterparts look for Thai partners to tap commercial opportunities.

That is why the Baht is so strong, so hi-so's can make mega purchases abroad. 

33 minutes ago, yellowboat said:

That is why the Baht is so strong, so hi-so's can make mega purchases abroad. 

Agreed, as an ex CPF shareholder saw profits spent on Russian pig farms and processing plants nothing for shareholders, no capital gains and miniscule dividends

 

Edited January 19, 20188 yr by norbra
edit

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Dhanin advised Davies to “eat nourishing food, exercise and sleep in a natural and tranquil surrounding”.

All that is available at your local 7-11. Get a warm chocolate puff pie, take those soidogs for a walk, and sleep on the bench outside to the soothing sound of a door chime.

MAGA by selling crappy food, and letting a Thai company operate stores. Nothing about workers actually having control and a voice in their companies.

 

Just work for the boss, doesn't matter if it is American or Thai, just keep the money rolling to the top and MAGA! 

Edited January 19, 20188 yr by PremiumLane

10 minutes ago, PremiumLane said:

MAGA by selling crappy food, and letting a Thai company operate stores. Nothing about workers actually having control and a voice in their companies.

 

Just work for the boss, doesn't matter if it is American or Thai, just keep the money rolling to the top and MAGA! 

Strange comment.  If workers actually want control and a voice in their companies then they should buy shares. 

They are workers.... Not owners. 

Sorry?? - "Tom Yam Kung Sandwiches"  

 

Is that a misprint?? 

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Charoen Pokphand Foods’ (CPF) Bt38 billion acquisition of US food giant Bellisio last year was one step towards “make America great again”, said US ambassador Glyn Davies yesterday, referring to the policy shift under the Trump administration to rebuild its economy.

So making America great again, involves selling off USA companies to overseas interests?

 

There’s  a twist...

2 hours ago, Lupatria said:

Plastic food for plastic people in a plastic waste environment!

Soylent Green soon coming to a shop near you.

Wasn’t soylent green made out of people?

Edited January 19, 20188 yr by Bluespunk

the tycoon saw a more globalised economy which should bind people rather than divide them.

 

For "bind" read "enslave". That's how the one percent got to be the one percent.

1 minute ago, Bluespunk said:

Wasn’t soylent green made out of people?

Right! But who knows where all these Thailand 4.0 developments end?

4 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

Sooooo, let me see.

 

An increase in American processed food at 7-11 and other convenience stores.

 

A crackdown on low-cost street food.

 

I certainly don't see any connections... 

 

5 hours ago, dahinni said:

w.t.f american food, so we see more overweight thais

I'm sure they are not importing American food to be sold in Thailand, instead its the other way around where they can cut costs and export Thai ingredients (chicken, pork, etc) to their US manufacturing plant. Its a vertical integration of cutting cost and having upstream and downstream suppliers / manufacturers all under one umbrella.

20 minutes ago, jonclark said:

Sorry?? - "Tom Yam Kung Sandwiches"  

 

Is that a misprint?? 

You must not have curry puffs and other thai curries stuffed in pastries? Don't see why fusion food is so surprising. We have pesto sandwiches, meat ball sandwiches, etc in the West.

1 minute ago, mike324 said:

 

I'm sure they are not importing American food to be sold in Thailand, instead its the other way around where they can cut costs and export Thai ingredients (chicken, pork, etc) to their US manufacturing plant. Its a vertical integration of cutting cost and having upstream and downstream suppliers / manufacturers all under one umbrella.

Yes, I also think this will only make CP "great", not America. CP group were involved in the shrimp and chicken factories that were accused for using slave labor last year.( https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2014/jun/10/supermarket-prawns-thailand-produced-slave-labour ) 

CP executives better watch out.  Unlike Thailand, the US takes a very dim view of insider trading. 

Sure you can eat it.  Food?  Lmao.

... Its a vertical integration of cutting cost and having upstream and downstream suppliers / manufacturers all under one umbrella.

I'm sure you're right.
Unfortunately I haven't a clue what you mean!
But I'm sure you're right!
[emoji4]

Sent from my KENNY using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

9 hours ago, mike324 said:

 

I'm sure they are not importing American food to be sold in Thailand, instead its the other way around where they can cut costs and export Thai ingredients (chicken, pork, etc) to their US manufacturing plant. Its a vertical integration of cutting cost and having upstream and downstream suppliers / manufacturers all under one umbrella.

 

Indeed, this is what happens when a large foreign company buys out a long established food manufacturer :

 

The many ways Cadbury is losing its magic - The Telegraph