Harim Iksan Factory 'Chicken Road' Tour... Steady Increase in Tour Inquiries Leads to Resumption Decision
Nongshim Also Operating at 6 Factories Nationwide from June
[Asia Economy Reporter Eunmo Koo] As social distancing measures have been fully lifted, the food industry is unlocking the restrictions that have been in place for over two years and resuming factory tours. Food companies plan to strengthen their connection with consumers by restarting various events, including factory tours, that had been suspended.
According to the industry on the 29th, Harim, a chicken processing company, resumed its general public factory tour program called ‘Harim Chicken Road’ at its Iksan plant in Jeonbuk on the 18th.
Harim Chicken Road is a program where visitors can observe the process of chickens becoming processed meat products and even participate in tastings. Visitors can see the entire process from slaughtering to processing and packaging firsthand. Tours are available through online reservations on the company’s website. A Harim representative explained, "As the atmosphere around quarantine measures has eased, inquiries about tours have steadily increased, leading us to decide to resume the program. We have designed it so visitors can see hygienic and safe operations directly."
Nongshim is also resuming factory tours that were halted due to the spread of COVID-19. After inspecting the tour routes and improving systems, Nongshim plans to accept applications from the general public by mid-next month and officially operate tour programs at six plants nationwide starting in June, including locations in Anyang, Anseong, Asan, Gumi, Busan, and Noksan.
There is also a movement to revert online tours and educational programs back to offline formats. Namyang Dairy Products, which has conducted over 8,000 face-to-face lectures for mothers and pregnant women since 1983 but switched to non-face-to-face formats in 2020 for its ‘Pregnancy and Childcare Class,’ is planning to operate the program in a hybrid online-offline format. hy is also considering operating its online tour program ‘hy Factory+’ at its Pyeongtaek plant, which produces Yakult and other products, in a hybrid offline format.
Since social distancing has just been lifted, not many companies have officially announced the resumption of factory tours yet, but the industry expects the number of companies opening their factory doors to consumers to steadily increase. An industry insider said, "Consumer interest in food safety is rising, and the industry can transparently show production processes, which is useful for gaining consumer trust. Therefore, the number of companies resuming tours will gradually increase."
However, since most tour programs have been suspended for over two years, some time is needed for reorganization. Currently, CJ CheilJedang plans to remodel the tour route and brand promotion center at its Jincheon plant, which produces Hetbahn, and reopen it around next year. Daesang is also considering resuming tours at its Sunchang gochujang factory and Hoengseong kimchi factory, and Ottogi is reviewing reopening its Eumseong Daepung plant tours.
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