Century Pacific Food, Inc. (PSE:CNPF), one of the leading food and beverage manufacturing companies in the Philippines, ranked among the top consumer staples companies in Asia ex-China in the recently concluded Institutional Investor 2023 Asia Executive Team Survey.
Among Asian consumer staples companies, CNPF’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Teodoro Po, was recognized as among the top three Best CEOs by combined respondents from both buy-side and sell-side firms, while the Company’s ESG program also garnered top awards overall. CNPF’s Board of Directors was likewise voted as among the top in the sector by buy-side analysts, a new award category for this year for boards who best uphold corporate governance standards and facilitate investment into their company.
The Institutional Investor (II) is a leading international business to business publisher, focused primarily on international finance, with market intelligence capabilities for corporates and investment professionals globally called II Research, which is recognized as the leading provider of independent, qualitative feedback, for all three sides of the investment community.
For the II Research’s 13th Annual Asia Executive Team survey, a total of 6,474 investors, portfolio managers and analysts from 1,646 voter firms participated in this survey, nominating a total of 1,608 companies and 2,504 individuals across 18 sectors.
Po said, “We are deeply humbled by the recognition from our stakeholders. Your vote of confidence tells us that we are heading in the right direction – delivering consistent growth performance by focusing on providing affordable nutrition to our consumers more responsibly and sustainably. We will endeavor to uphold your trust as stewards of your capital.”
For the past five years, amidst shifting macroeconomic conditions, CNPF has posted resilient growth, which can be attributed to its all-weather portfolio – affordable and accessible packaged proteins. The Company’s multi-brand strategy allows it to cater to varying consumer needs, from value-for-money offerings to affordable premium brands and products.
CNPF’s ESG Program was also lauded as among the best in the sector. Its framework is composed of 3 major pillars: Protein Delivery, Planet Preservation, and People Development.
Under Protein Delivery, CNPF has been diversifying its portfolio into intrinsically healthier categories such as Milk, Coconut, and Plant-based Alternatives. These are emerging businesses hinged on long-term consumer trends around health, wellness, and sustainability. In 2022, all these businesses posted a robust growth performance.
Planet Preservation is another major component of CNPF’s ESG Program. Keystone programs include tuna sustainability, water recycling, investments in solar, and supply chain management. The Company has made significant inroads across these programs. In particular, CNPF has been engaging in sustainable tuna fishing practices, in full compliance with the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation. It is also managing a Fishery Improvement Project in partnership with the Regional Fishery Management Office and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to promote sustainable fishing practices in line with the standards of the Marine Stewardship Council. CNPF also saw a 50% and 30% reduction in the water intensity of its Tuna and Coconut manufacturing facilities, respectively, compared to its baseline year. The company has built solar capabilities in its largest manufacturing facility, General Santos, and is planning to expand capacity this year. In terms of Supply Chain, the group has institutionalized its Supplier Code of Conduct across all its active suppliers, covering social, environmental, and governance components.
On the People Development front, CNPF stepped up its efforts in helping alleviate hunger in the country. Through RSPo Foundation, the group was able to donate over 10 million protein servings to underserved communities nationwide. The Company also partnered with Gawad Kalinga to forge a coalition dedicated to fight against hunger called “Zero Hunger Alliance”. The group aims to tackle hunger in a holistic manner, inviting various private and public sector groups to join the cause.
This year, 8 Philippine companies ranked at the All Asia Executive Team survey. This is the fourth consecutive year that CNPF has been recognized by investors at the Annual Asia Executive Team survey. CNPF’s Investor Relations Program, CFO Richard Manapat, and Investor Relations Manager Dappy Tecson were likewise recognized as among the top in the sector by buy-side analysts this year.
