Khong Guan Biscuit Factory Visit Wednesday 22 August 2007 That venerable biscuit brand, Khong Guan (康元), allows tours of its Boon Lay factory (338 Jln Boon Lay). They even sent a bus to pick us up! The production lines look like they come out of the 70s but are masterpieces of mechanical engineering. Because Khong Guan produces such a wide variety of biscuits, the lines are constantly being reconfigured - something that is the forte of the mechannical and production engineer. They didn't mention it, but I suspect that the lines may be retooled each night.

Unfortunately, they do not allow cameras inside the factory. I can only describe it as smelling of ammonia and with surprisingly few workers (most of the line is automated and staff only feed the raw materials, monitor quality, and pack the end product). The production lines are not that fast - I presume the biscuits would crack if they were moved faster.

I did ask about their little button biscuits with the sugar swirl on top (photo on left) which are everywhere these days - it being the Seventh Month. Apparently they don't do it here because of the labour cost for that type of biscuit. Instead, it's made at one of their China factories and shipped here. That of course meant that it wasn't sold at their factory outlet:

However, for those nostalgic about army biscuits, the buttered ones introduced at the end of the 80s are available. Unfortunately for those of us 'veterans' who experienced the original hardtack, it has been discontinued. I prefer it because it is not buttery and you can eat it without feeling oily. I used to stuff them in my ammo pouch and grab a bite whenever there was a lull in operations.