Barry Callebaut breaks ground on its key Canadian production facilities

The Barry Callebaut Group has marked the groundbreaking of its advanced factory in Brantford, Ontario, Canada, which is set to deliver sugar-free, high protein and speciality chocolate series, reports Neill Barston.

As previously reported, plans for the $104 million facility have been developed amid a backdrop of sustained growth and development within the better-for-you market – which the North American region has particularly embraced amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the site was attended by (L-R) Barry Callebaut executives Chris DiMambro; Balaji Padmanabhan; Angie Kipper; Jin Kim, Americas’ CFO; Steve Woolley, Americas’ President & CEO; Brantford-Brant Member of Provincial Parliament William Bouma; and Brantford City Councillor John Sless.

According to the business, its latest site, which adds to the 15 production locations within the region, is set to be fully operational in 2024, and is planned to have an initial production capacity of more than 50,000 tonnes serving local markets.

Its development comes as research from IRI noted that the US market for specialty chocolate grew 5.9% in 2021 to $14.7 billion, with the company anticipating its latest site will deliver over 200 jobs at its advanced facilities.

Currently, the business has two existing facilities in Canada, including Chatham, Ontario, and one in St. Hyacinthe, Quebec, which stands as its largest facility in Region Americas.

Confectionery Production attended this year’s Sweets and Snacks Expo, which saw a strong showing from the business, including a number of new product developments (see the video review here), which included a new plant-based confectionery series that stands as a significant new addition to its portfolio.

The groundbreaking of its ambitious Canadian site, comes in the wake of the company releasing  its latest performance figures revealing sales revenue growth of 13.5% to CHF 6.075 billion for the first nine months of its present financial year.

Notably, it has recorded strong volume growth across the business, up 7.9% to 1,751,422 for the period, with the company posting an improved position for its chocolate operations.

 

 

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