Managing director Liang Chiang Heng told the Malaysia Star that new machines would help ease production as its two plants had already reached 80 per cent capacity.

The company also invested in new machines last year to expand production.

"Apart from boosting our production, the fresh investment will see us churning more new products next year," Liang told StarBiz after the company AGM this week.

"FY2006 was the best year for the company so far and we are confident of charting even better growth in the current year," he told the paper.

Apollo recorded a pre-tax profit of RM26.37 million in full year 2006, up from RM17.23 million while revenue increased to RM142.37 million from RM124.44 million the prior year.

Liang said Apollo had no plans to produce health products in the near future as the cost of producing such items was quite high and the market segment was small. But the company will further reduce the sugar and fat content in its products after successfully reformulating some of its products.

Market research firm Euromonitor says that products with reduced fat, salt or sugar are likely to become more popular in Malaysia as the government seeks to build awareness of health issues.

Countlines already dominate chocolate confectionery in Malaysia and the health trend has also resulted in smaller pack sizes.