Barry Callebaut set for further Canadian expansion with $70 million Ontario investment
pic: Barry Callebaut
Ambitious plans totalling $70 million in investment have been put forward by Barry Callebaut to further extend its chocolate manufacturing at its Chatham facilities in Ontario, Canada, as the region shows continued category growth, reports Neill Barston.
As the business explained, the funding will enable the site to extend the range of products delivered from the site, expanding its capabilities from the end of this year, through to August 31, following an initial boost of $30 million placed into enhancing the location in 2018.
According to Barry Callebaut the focus on its Chatham site over the past four years marks part of a broader strategy of responding to demand for its chocolate compounds within North America, which includes liquid and dark chocolate varieties, as well as moulded lines.
The investment reportedly covers all aspects of its portfolio, in addition to enhanced capabilities for the production of dairy-free compound to accommodate growing customer demand for plant-based indulgence. White compound production will be added in 2023. As the company noted, the expansion of the Chatham factory has fuelled economic growth in the area, with the business delivering an additional 100 jobs, and a further 25 indirect hires.
It comes after the company recently announced a $104 million venture for a new site at Brantford in Ontario, focused on delivering sugar-free and high protein chocolate confectionery ranges for the company, which is due to come on stream in 2024.
“This new capacity will satisfy growing demand from both food manufacturers and gourmet customers for our compound solutions in this dynamic consumer market.
Balaji Padmanabhan,” VP of Operations and Supply Chain, Americas, Barry Callebaut of the expansion to its Chatham manufacturing capabilities.
Steve Woolley, the company’s President & CEO Americas, also welcomed the expansion of the site, which he hailed as significant for its wider company strategy across the region, which remains notably buoyant despite wider market challenges.
“This Chatham expansion marks another milestone for our Region. Investing in our compound production, together with the new specialty chocolate factory in Brantford, allow us to lean into the wide-variety of specialised experience in the Region, and to establish a strategic foothold in our network as we accelerate our growth journey.