Makulaku to double production capacity after investment

Finnish confectionery group Makulaku Lakritsa has invested €3.5 million ($3.7m) in a new liquorice production line, which will double its capacity and diversify its product range.

The new system, which includes packaging automation, will make the products more versatile and agile, according to Makulaku.

“Our goal is genuinely ambitious: the aim is to achieve strong international growth and position our colourful Makulaku products as a lively alternative to existing products on the market,” says Risto Jämsén, CEO of the Makua Foods group, Makulaku’s parent company. “The new production line will significantly boost our manufacturing agility and efficiency.”

The new hybrid production line can be used to produce a range of products in different colours and flavours, either packed or in bulk and organic or normal. New products include extra-long liquorice strips that will be sold under the name Monkey Tails. Its organic products will be marketed under the Happy Reindeer brand.

The production line has started up at the Porvoo facility and the first products, which were unveiled at ISM in Cologne, Germany, will be available to buy this month.

During the investment project, the manufacturing facility’s quality system was also updated to meet the requirements of the FSSC 22000 Food Safety System Certification.