The days Sarawakians bring plastic bags of Gardenia from West Malaysia would soon be over with Gardenia confirming they are set to open their first Gardenia factory in Sarawak.
According to news reports, the first Gardenia bread manufacturing facility will be in Kota Samarahan, with Kim Teck Cheong Consolidated Berhad (KTC), the company behind Gardenia, announcing a RM30 million investment to establish the plant.
The project was announced on July 13, 2026, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between KTC, through its subsidiary Gardenia Bakeries (East Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, and Sanjung Etika Sdn Bhd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Yayasan Sarawak.
It is understood that joint venture would create a company called Gardenia Bakeries (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd pending shareholders’ agreements which should be obtained within three months following the July 13 MoU.
RM30 million Gardenia plant
Based on reports, the proposed facility will be located at the Kota Samarahan Industrial Park, where KTC has applied to the Sarawak Government for a 7.56-acre plot of land for the construction of the Gardenia bread manufacturing plant.
As of the announcement, no specific construction start date has been publicly announced but it is understood that once operational, the factory is expected to initially produce approximately 6,000 loaves of bread per day.
Production capacity is planned to increase to between 10,000 and 20,000 loaves per day as operations expand and demand increases.
The project is also expected to create employment opportunities for Sarawakians with the factory eventually creating up to 500 jobs.
Gardenia products made in Kota Samarahan
The proposed factory will also introduce Gardenia products specifically associated with Sarawak.
KTC has announced plans for Sarawak Edition Gardenia products featuring packaging reflecting Sarawak’s identity. A Gardenia Layer Cake has also been identified as a product planned exclusively for the Sarawak market.
KTC has further stated that it intends to source raw materials from local Sarawak suppliers where possible, potentially keeping more of the economic activity associated with production within the state.
The project marks a significant change from Gardenia’s previous position in Sarawak. In January 2022, KTC had denied claims that a Gardenia production factory already existed in Asajaya, clarifying at the time that no such Gardenia manufacturing building existed in Sarawak.
The opening of the facility does not only mean that Sarawakians do not need to import Gardenia bread from West Malaysia anymore, but it would also likely reduce the shelve prices of the brand’s products locally.
Article references:
- The Star
- Free Malaysia Today
- BernamaBiz
- Utusan Borneo
- TVS Sabah News
- Borneo Daily Bulletin
- Borneo Post
