Bandar baru darulaman: Local spice producer Maker Recipe Sdn Bhd plans to go global with its traditional spice brand, Cap O, within the next three years with an investment of RM1.7 million. Its chief executive officer, Aimi Syairah Md Zin, said the investment will increase its production capacity and strengthen certification, research, digitalisation, and branding, ensuring the company is prepared before commencing exports.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, RM700,000 of the investment will be used to upgrade production machinery and RM500,000 to improve factory facilities. The remainder will be allocated for research laboratory development, digital marketing, branding, and export preparations. Aimi Syairah said the company's factory, which produces about 80 tonnes of spices per month currently, has reached its capacity limit. Additional new machinery is expected to enable the company to meet rising demand while supporting its export plans.
She said Maker Recipe has established its own research laboratory in collaboration with Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) to test every product formulation before launch to ensure consistency. This includes adjusting raw material usage without altering the recipe's original taste. Cap O's core strength lies in its traditional Malay recipes handed down over more than two decades. This will be preserved even as the company leverages modern technology and innovation in its production processes.
To strengthen its competitiveness, Maker Recipe is also accelerating its digital transformation by adopting an integrated management system that connects operations across Jitra, Bukit Kayu Hitam, Ipoh, Pagoh, and Rawang. At the same time, it will utilise technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), real-time inventory systems, Google Analytics, and GPS-based delivery scheduling to enhance operational efficiency.
The company has also established a digital marketing department to expand the brand's reach, particularly among the younger generation, while leveraging social media to build closer relationships with consumers and gain insights into current market trends, she said. Cap O is marketed at over 3,600 outlets nationwide currently. It began as a small enterprise founded by Che Olah. It was later acquired, along with its heirloom recipes, by the family behind Maker Recipe, who saw its expansion potential.
Aimi Syairah noted that the company has received interest from several Middle Eastern countries, including Saudi Arabia. Its current priority, however, is to secure international certification and to strengthen its position locally. 'Our strategy is to become a leader in the local market before venturing overseas. Our goal is not merely to export spices, but to share the heritage of traditional Malay recipes globally,' she said.