Productos Lux,  S.A. (PROLUXSA) has carried out an expansion of its production plant with an investment of over $700,000 . "We are adapting our plant with new equipment and technology ," said Rosmer Jurado, Director of Marketing of the company founded in 1964. " We have expanded our production capacity for other products" he added . " With the vinegar, for example, we have become the largest producer of sugar cane vinegar in the region, and with the hot sauce, in a couple of days, we are going to be able to fill a container with 2000 boxes," said Jurado.

Proluxsa exports grew by 18% for in the first half of the year compared to the same period in 2007.  And while export sales represent 20% of total sales, Jurado emphasized that there are products where the percentage of export sales surpass the local market . The main export destinations are Central America , the Caribbean , United States , Taiwan and England.  In Costa Rica, for example , the company has opened a distribution office where it employs 25 people.

“Although the company is benefiting from tis expansion, raw material costs are affecting us” said Rosmer Jurado , Director of Product Marketing Lux SA (Proluxsa) . " For food industry companies like ours, inflation is a challenge.  The distribution chain expenses have sky rocketed. " said Jurado.  Nevertheless, Proluxsa is looking for partners to develop new products like tropical fruit juices, to be able to compete in the European markets.  The executive declined to disclose the names of companies that are being considered.

One of the significant achievements that Poluxsa has today, is the make of its traditional Panamanian canned chicken soup, which was developed up with the U.S. market in mind , where there are over 40 million Latinos.  However, thus far, we have failed to access this market.  The Panamanian chicken soup  is not allowed to enter the United States, said Jurado, because there are phytosanitary restrictions that forbid its entry.  Furthermore, the company must also meet language requirements for each destination.  For example, products sold in Israel must have all the information in their labels written in hebrew.


source:
La Prensa, August 25, 2008