Celebrating 100 years of brewing, CJ OliveNetworks supports HiteJinro’s global expansion by opening its first overseas smart factory
CJ OliveNetworks is expanding its global presence by securing a bid from HiteJinro to set up a smart factory in Vietnam, marking its first overseas production facility.
To celebrate its 100th anniversary this year, HiteJinro, a South Korean multinational drink, brewing company and distillery, will establish its first overseas production facility in Vietnam to enhance brand competitiveness in the global liquor market and increase export volumes by expanding its facilities. The Vietnamese plant, expected to be completed by the end of 2026, aims for an initial production target exceeding 1 million boxes annually, serving as a hub for the Southeast Asian market.
CJ OliveNetworks has established itself as a leader in smart factory solutions, leveraging its expertise in the food and beverage sector and its extensive experience from various global projects within the CJ Group. The recent contract with HiteJinro marks CJ OliveNetworks’ first overseas smart factory initiative which holds significant importance as it encompasses the full range of responsibilities under the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) model.
To ensure the successful construction of the overseas factory in Vietnam, CJ OliveNetworks will design customized automated equipment and systems tailored to liquor production methods and implement integrated management and maintenance systems. By harnessing innovative Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to create integrated solutions, the company plans to establish an advanced smart factory that enables two-way collaboration between HiteJinro’s headquarters and its Vietnam facility. This initiative aims to contribute to HiteJinro’s sustainable growth and expansion into global markets.
Additionally, by integrating advanced technologies, the project will focus on optimizing core processes, including establishing flexible production systems and consistent quality, creating a data-integrated environment and setting up production safety protocols. These efforts aim to enhance both productivity and safety, ultimately leading to the implementation of an efficient smart factory tailored to the local conditions in Vietnam. On top of its industrial advancements, CJ will create spaces that highlight the rich story of HiteJinro’s 100-year history throughout the facility.
The company will leverage its industry-leading expertise in food and logistics by forming “Team CJ” to ensure the successful construction of HiteJinro’s smart factory. Leveraging its experience in building smart factories both domestically and internationally, the company will offer guidance on factory operations and strategic direction along with optimized logistics strategies based on its expertise in developing logistics systems
CJ OliveNetworks plans to strengthen its partnership with HiteJinro by closely collaborating on the construction of new factories in the future.
“We are excited to support HiteJinro’s expansion into global markets through the construction of their global smart factory,” stated Yoo In-sang, CEO of CJ OliveNetworks. “Using our advanced DX technology, we will actively assist in building and operating a safe and efficient factory.”
Meanwhile, CJ OliveNetworks will implement its manufacturing execution system (MES) from CJ CheilJedang, the leading company in the food industry, and leverage its established ITO capabilities and technologies from projects with hy, a Korean beverage and dairy manufacturer formerly known as Korean Yakult, and Amorepacific, a Korean beauty and cosmetics conglomerate. The company aims to actively advance its smart factory initiatives and lead the digital transformation (DX) of the manufacturing sector.
