MBR, together with its parent company PT Garudafood Putra Putri Jaya Tbk, has partnered with French cheese giant Bel S.A., the owner of globally recognized brands such as The Laughing Cow, Kiri, and Babybel.

This collaboration is anchored by the construction of a modern cheese factory in Sumedang, West Java. Covering 25,000 square meters, the facility is scheduled to be fully operational by 2028 and will raise production capacity to 60,000 tons annually. The scale of this investment reflects confidence in Indonesia’s domestic market while also pointing to ambitions of regional influence.

The partnership draws strength from both sides. Prochiz, MBR’s flagship brand, has built a strong presence in Indonesia, while Bel brings decades of international expertise and a portfolio of household names. Together, they aim to address Asia’s relatively low cheese consumption compared to Europe. Europeans consume more than 20 kilograms of cheese per capita annually, while Asia averages less than one kilogram.

With Indonesia’s population exceeding 280 million, the potential for growth is enormous. Hardianto Atmadja, President Director of Garudafood and President Commissioner of MBR, emphasized that Bel’s involvement demonstrates confidence in Indonesia’s strategic importance as a market with vast untapped potential.

The factory is being designed with sustainability at its core. Thirty percent of the site will be dedicated to green open space, and solar panels with a capacity of up to 250 kWp will provide renewable energy. This approach reflects a growing global expectation that companies balance expansion with environmental responsibility. Local leaders have welcomed the investment, with Sumedang Regent Dony Ahmad Munir highlighting its potential to drive regional economic growth and improve community welfare. For residents, the factory represents not only new jobs but also a symbol of Sumedang’s integration into the global food supply chain.

The announcement coincided with the 20th anniversary of MBR, marked by a visit from Bel Group CEO Cécile Béliot to the new facility. The milestone underscores MBR’s evolution from a domestic producer into a partner of international stature. As Indonesia positions itself to capture a larger share of the cheese market, the Sumedang factory could serve as a catalyst for broader industry transformation, reshaping consumption patterns across Asia and strengthening the country’s role in global food production.