Wooriwa, a Leading Pet Food Manufacturer
Building Consumer Trust Through Transparent Production Facilities
Aiming for $600 Million in Exports This Year on the Strength of Superior Products
"Before building our production facility, I visited more than 30 well-known overseas pet food companies over two years to benchmark their practices. Based on these experiences, we established facilities that allow us to thoroughly manage hygiene and safety. With a team of 12 researchers, we produce pet food of the highest global nutritional standards. We are working to change the vague perception that 'famous brand pet food is always better.' (Yoon Gwansik, Production Team Leader at Wooriwa)
On the morning of the 25th, I visited Wooriwa, a pet food manufacturer located in Eumseong. Wooriwa, which was established in 2018 after being spun off from its parent company Daehan Feed, is now the largest pet food manufacturer in Korea.
Upon entering the factory, the first thing that caught my eye was a 250-meter-long factory tour route. Along this route, visitors can observe every stage of the process, from the receipt and storage of raw materials to input, grinding, mixing, product packaging, and even the control room that manages all manufacturing operations. Although the production line is designed in a straight layout, all processes are divided into three main zones with partition walls to prevent cross-contamination.
Yoon Gwansik, Production Team Leader at Wooriwa, explained, "In premium pet food production that uses ingredients such as fresh chicken meat, fresh salmon, and animal-based ingredients like chicken meal, preventing cross-contamination between raw materials and finished products is of utmost importance. We have implemented systems to prevent cross-contamination and external contamination with a closed line, enabling hygiene management at the level of human food."
Each section of the Wooriwa factory is separated by walls and barrier doors. When products are moved between zones, disinfection is carried out. Workers are also assigned to specific zones and are not permitted to work in other areas.
Pet food packaging process at Wooriwa visited on the 25th. Dog food and other products destined for export to Vietnam are being produced.
Wooriwa strives to produce pet food that is not only managed at the highest level of hygiene and safety but is also nutritionally superior. Team Leader Yoon emphasized, "A total of 12 researchers, including a doctor of animal nutrition, are involved in the development of our pet food products. Overseas pet food experts who have visited our facility have praised not only our manufacturing systems but also the nutritional quality of our products."
Building on these strengths, Wooriwa is actively expanding into overseas markets. By focusing on Asian countries such as Vietnam, Taiwan, and Malaysia, export revenue increased from 2.3 million dollars in 2019 to 5.82 million dollars in 2023, a 2.5-fold increase. Wooriwa is also seeking to enter new markets, including Mexico as a base for exports to Latin America, as well as Russia and the Philippines. This year's export target is 6 million dollars, with the goal of reaching 10 billion dollars in exports by 2028.
Team Leader Yoon stated, "I am confident that Wooriwa's manufacturing facilities are among the top five in the world, and we have more researchers dedicated to pet nutrition than any other company. To showcase our excellence, we transparently open our manufacturing processes to consumers. Ultimately, we hope to raise awareness of the overall excellence of K-Pet Food based on these strengths."
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