Innovation is often thought of as the spark that drives humanity forward—from the creation of fire to the invention of the internet. While its Latin roots, “innovare,” date back to the mid-15th century, innovation itself is as old as humanity, shaping how we adapt and thrive.
In Thailand, few companies embody this journey of transformation and forward-thinking quite like Charoen Pokphand (CP) Group. Once recognized exclusively as an agricultural behemoth, CP Group is now at the forefront of turning Thailand into an innovation-driven economy, powering advancements across multiple sectors.
Founded as a seed trading company, CP Group first established its dominance in agriculture and agribusiness. Decades of strategic expansion saw it branching into food production, retail, telecom, finance, and technology. Yet, its latest chapter represents a dramatic shift: CP Group has reimagined itself as a global innovation leader, creating an ecosystem that combines cutting-edge research, collaborative ventures, and a deeply-rooted culture of invention.
At the core of CP Group’s evolution is a concerted effort to foster creativity company-wide. Internal R&D is complemented by partnerships both within Thailand and internationally. Employees are encouraged to participate in innovation competitions and share new ideas via company-wide platforms, reflecting the belief that breakthrough ideas can arise from anywhere within the organization.
A seminal event in this strategy is the biennial CP Innovation Exposition & Symposium, now in its 8th edition under the theme “Innovate the Future for a Better Tomorrow.” Hosted at the advanced True Digital Park in Bangkok—a hub rapidly gaining prominence as Thailand’s own Innovation District—the exposition is a showcase of CP Group’s ambition. More than 3,000 innovations have been submitted by employees from every corner of CP’s global operations, collectively valued at over THB 40 billion.
More than 200 standout projects are presented across four vital dimensions: products and services, process improvements, new business models, and sustainability initiatives. These range from early-stage concepts to commercially viable innovations. For instance, CP Axtra Public Company Limited has unveiled the VIP Cool Box, a vacuum-insulated container designed to maintain food freshness for 24 hours—transforming food logistics for both businesses and consumers.
True Vision Engineering’s AI Environmental Monitoring integrates smart safety and energy management through artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things (IoT), boosting operational efficiency and setting new benchmarks for smart infrastructure. In the agricultural core, CPF (Thailand) Pcl. has developed a method to increase the weight of swine from 110-115 kg to 145 kg, raising incomes for both the company and local farmers.
A highlight of this year’s exposition is a major Technology Showcase, a collective display of robotics and artificial intelligence. From agile robot dogs and humanoid robots to autonomous kitchen tech and passenger drones, CP’s innovations portend a digital future where Thailand is not just catching up, but leading.
CP Group CEO Suphachai Chearavanont explained that innovation is a core value for CP Group. He stated that sustainable progress for the organization and society requires not just innovation, but also morality. Success does not come overnight but results from learning from failure and continuous creation.
No longer just Thailand’s agricultural champion, CP Group now stands as a torchbearer for technological change, connecting the country’s legacy industries with future-facing solutions. With its deep commitment to innovation at every level, CP promises to continue driving the nation toward sustained growth and global competitiveness.
