Thailand's TCP deepening investment across China

Thailand's TCP Group, owner of the Red Bull brand, is increasing its investment in China, as the country is a key hub in global supply chains and a beacon of long-term market stability, its top executive said.

"Investing in China is investing in long-term certainty. From infrastructure to policy transparency, China offers a level of systematic support that gives foreign enterprises confidence to expand and grow," Saravoot Yoovidhya, CEO of TCP Group, said during the China International Supply Chain Expo in Beijing on Wednesday.

The energy drink giant, which first entered China in 1993 by building a Red Bull plant in Hainan province, has invested 4.36 billion yuan ($598.1 million) in the country over the past five years.

Its latest moves include establishing a regional headquarters in Beijing and constructing new manufacturing bases in Sichuan province and the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, solidifying its role as a "chain leader" in China's growing functional beverage industry.

"TCP's first-time presence at the CISCE is both symbolic and strategic. We have showcased our full supply chain from upstream ingredient sourcing to downstream product innovation using immersive digital displays and AI-powered demonstrations at this year's expo," Yoovidhya said.

He emphasized that the company's presence highlights how it is building a smart, green and resilient supply chain.

China's supply chain "is unmatched in terms of scale, efficiency, innovation, and resilience," Yoovidhya said.

TCP's Sichuan plant, launched in December 2023 with an investment of 2 billion yuan, represents its largest and most advanced manufacturing site in China to date. Equipped with five automated production lines and an intelligent warehouse system, the facility has an annual capacity of 1.44 billion cans.

The push also comes as 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Thailand.

Yoovidhya, who also serves as vice-president of the Thai Chamber of Commerce in China, highlighted China's continued opening-up and policy predictability as critical drivers behind TCP's confidence.

"China's firm commitment to green, inclusive and interconnected growth is clear from the CISCE and beyond," he said, citing the country's push for high-standard opening-up and regional integration initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.

"These platforms are creating stronger links between China, Thailand, and the broader ASEAN region, facilitating more two-way investment and trade," he added.

Beyond commercial operations, TCP is also investing in cultural and social ties under what Yoovidhya called a "humanistic supply chain" model.