Swiss Chocolatier Coming to Moscow Region
The Swiss Barry Callebaut concern, a world leader in the production of chocolate mass and coating chocolate, is opening facilities in Russia. It has a plant in Chekhov, outside Moscow that it has invested ˆ17 million in, which will begin operating in less than a week. The plant will have a capacity of 25,000 tons of product per year and will employ about 70 people. The company plans to double its sales in Russia within two or three years thanks to the plant, said company representative Gaby Tschofen.
Barry Callebaut was formed in 1996 through the merger of the Belgian Callebaut and French Cacao Barry. It operates in 24 countries. Its proceeds for the 2006 financial year were ˆ2.734 billion, EBITDA ˆ260 million and net profit ˆ117.4 million. Practically all candymakers in Russia buy chocolate mass and coating chocolate from Barry Callebaut, as do such international manufacturers as Nestle, Mars and Kraft Foods.
Barry Callebaut now provides Russia with products from its Polish plant. “Even though it was more expensive imported from Poland, we were sure of its quality, which not a single Russian plant can guarantee,” commented Irina Eldarkhanova, chairman of the board of the Konfael Co. The Swiss are warning, however, that the Russian-produced chocolate parts may not be any less expensive. While delivery logistics will be easier, the rising cost of raw materials will keep the price high.
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All the Article in Russian as of Sep. 07, 2007
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Photo: Reuters
