Kilag, Hannah Jane J.

Production Management
BSA 3 1:30-2:30 PM (MWF)

PLANT TOUR 2018: Learnings

As part of our final requirement in Production Management, we have joyfully
spent our time having a plant tour in Profoods International Corporation located at
Mandaue City and Gardenia Bakeries at Lapu-Lapu City last March 8, 2018. Though it was
a little bit of tiring, but I can't deny the fact that it was really a great experience for me
since that was my first time having a plant tour.
The first place we went to was in Profood of which really left a big impression on
me. As we enter the first section of the said place, I was already amazed of what I saw.
The machines and the people inside working together were really amazing. Since the
main product of Profood is dried mangoes, we were exposed in the area where actual
process of making these products happened. Witnessing how ordinary mangoes were
being processed and turn them into special dried mangoes and other different forms,
made me feel like I was really lucky to be part of this unforgettable plant tour. The
production process of making these dried mangoes was quite longer. Its starts from
receiving of fresh mangoes directly from those people who have their own mango trees,
then into ripening. After that, the fruits were to be washed which was to be done by the
use of hands of people plus the help of machines in order to minimize time. The peeling,
however, was done manually by some peeling experts of which it only takes 3-4 seconds
for them to peel a piece of mango. Then, it will proceed to slicing, then pasteurization,
and drying. And, after, it will proceed to packaging. In terms of packing the products,
Profood have different ways of packaging. They have pet bottle, four-side seal, cans,
stand-up pouch packaging, etc. We also watched a video regarding the history of the
company. Profood have received a lot of awards in the past and have showed great
performance until now. They received big awards such as "The most inspiring Cebuano
Entrepreneur" in 2007 and "Pride of Cebu" in 2009. Profood have been exporting deep-
processed fruit especially dried mangoes to different countries and have maintained
their success which is why I can say that they really deserve to receive such big and
special awards.
On the other hand, after having our lunch, we immediately proceed to our next
plant tour in Gardenia. As we went inside the place, we can already feel that we're
entering the world of breads. The smell will definitely tell you. As compared to Profood,
Gardenia had smaller area since they only produced one kind of product which is bread.
We can feel the heat wrapping the whole place. We had witnessed the actual process of
making breads and I had the same reaction to what I saw. The bread-making process
have 10 steps which starts with sponge mixing, wherein 50% of the ingredients were
mixed the base dough. Then, the sponge will be fermented and it will be then mixed
together with the remaining half of flour and other ingredients to form the dough. The
next process would be the make-up line, which is composed of four major computer-
controlled operations namely dividing, rounding, and intermediate proofing and
moulding. After, it will proceed to final proofing and then it will be baked. After,
depanning takes place and then cooling. After breads are sliced, they are packed in a
high-speed automatic bagger. Then, it will be processed for loading onto trucks for
delivery to retail outlets in Cebu, Bohol as well as in Northern Mindanao.
What made me said "wow" to both Profood and Gardenia and even in other plants,
were because of the machines. I really have big respect for those people who invented
those machines. The production process were done smoothly and quickly because of the
big contribution or help of the machines being used.
After having that half-day plant tour, I gained a lot of new ideas and knowledge
regarding the actual production process. It was really a memorable experience for me. I
hope I can utilize all I learn from the plant tour in the future. Having this kind of tour was
really a great opportunity especially for us who were exposed to some business-related
topics.
Kilag, Hannah Jane J. Production Management
BSA 3 1:30-2:30 PM (MWF)

PLANT TOUR 2018: Documentation

BSA 3rd year students with Ms. Panimdim & Mr. Compra

Profood’s Best Selling Products Worldwide Seizing the moment @ Profood Gallery

Wearing our hairnets before entering Waiting outside Gardenia

the “amazing world of breads”