SATS expands kitchen with $18m new production line

SATS, Asia's leading provider of food solutions and gateway services, said on Monday that it is investing S$18 million in a new production line that will enable mechanisation of up to 50 per cent of certain kitchen operations.

SATS will expand its Inflight Catering Centre 2 by 5,000 square metres, bringing its total facility size to 60,000 square metres. The extended facility is expected to be completed by the second quarter of 2017.

The investment is expected to enhance productivity and increase total production capacity across both of its inflight catering centres to about 115,000 meals a day.

The new production line will include automated sauce and ingredient dispensers as well as robotic wok paddles - speeding up soup, sauce and rice production and part of its dishing process.

"Automation enables us to enhance the quality and consistency of our food and services,'' said Alex Hungate, President and Chief Executive Officer, SATS. He added that the investment underscored SATS' commitment to the long-term growth of Singapore's aviation industry.