ZURICH, Switzerland, Oct. 2, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --
Continued expansion in fast-growing chocolate markets
* Barry Callebaut establishes local presence to further tap into a fast-
growing chocolate market
* New state-of-the-art chocolate factory with initial annual production
capacity of 14,000 tonnes of chocolate
* Moving closer to local Turkish customers and creating an additional foothold
for the entire EEMEA region (Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa)
Eskisehir, Turkey / Zurich, Switzerland - October 2, 2013 - Barry Callebaut, the
world's leading manufacturer of high-quality cocoa and chocolate products, today
officially inaugurated its first chocolate factory in Turkey, as announced in
October 2012. The new state-of-the-art facility in Eskisehir offers an initial
annual production capacity of 14,000 tonnes of chocolate. The total amount
invested is CHF 16 million (TL 35 million / EUR 13 million / USD 17 million).
Situated in Turkey's Central Anatolia region, the location in Eskisehir is close
to existing and potential new confectionery customers. The facility will serve
as a local base to further tap into the fast-growing Turkish chocolate market as
well as to capture opportunities in the company's EEMEA region.
Juergen Steinemann, CEO of Barry Callebaut, said: "We are excited about the
opening of our first chocolate factory in Turkey, the second one in our EEMEA
Region. This new local presence is another important step in continuing our
expansion in fast-growing chocolate markets and widens our footprint. Now we are
in an even better position to capitalize on the future growth of the attractive
Turkish as well as neighboring markets."
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Filip De Reymaeker, Barry Callebaut's
President Region EEMEA, added: "Turkey ranks among the top five fastest growing
chocolate confectionery markets in the world. There is significant growth
potential for us here as demand for high-quality chocolate, technical services
and new innovations is growing fast. Being centrally located in Eskisehir means
we are now closer to the customers we want to serve and to the raw materials we
need - all within an ideal radius of 400 km from our factory."
With less than 2 kg per capita, chocolate consumption in Turkey is still rather
low. However, in the last five years the total volume of the local chocolate
confectionery market has expanded by nearly 50% to over 125,000 tonnes. The
market is expected to continue to grow strongly at a rate of over 6% per annum
in the period from 2013 to 2018 - much higher than the long-term average growth
rate of 1 to 2% per year for the global chocolate market.[1]
Barry Callebaut opened its first chocolate factory in the EEMEA region in 2007
in Chekhov, Russia, 60 km south of Moscow. Its annual sales volume in the EEMEA
region has increased at a double-digit rate ever since. Regional headquarters
were established in Istanbul earlier this year. In November 2013 Barry Callebaut
will open a Chocolate Academy(TM) center in Istanbul, a training center for
professionals such as chocolatiers, pastry chefs, bakeries, hotels, restaurants
and caterers.
The company also opened a sales office in Belgrade, Serbia, last year.
[1] Source: Euromonitor.
***
Barry Callebaut (www.barry-callebaut.com):
With annual sales of about CHF 4.8 billion (EUR 4.0 billion / USD 5.2 billion)
in fiscal year 2011/12, Zurich-based Barry Callebaut is the world's leading
manufacturer of high-quality cocoa and chocolate products - from sourcing and
transforming cocoa beans to producing the finest chocolate, including chocolate
fillings, decorations and compounds. Combined with the recently acquired cocoa
ingredients business from Petra Foods, Barry Callebaut generates estimated
annual sales of CHF 6 billion (EUR 4.9 billion / USD 6.4 billion), runs around
50 production facilities worldwide, sells its products in over 100 countries and
employs a diverse and dedicated workforce of more than 8,000 people.
Barry Callebaut serves the entire food industry, from industrial food
manufacturers to artisanal and professional users of chocolate, such as
chocolatiers, pastry chefs, bakers, hotels, restaurants or caterers. The two
global brands catering to the specific needs of these customers are Callebaut(®)
and Cacao Barry(®).
***
Contacts
for investors and financial analysts: for the media outside Turkey:
Evelyn Nassar Raphael Wermuth
Head of Investor Relations Head Media Relations
Barry Callebaut AG Barry Callebaut AG
Phone: +41 43 204 04 23 Phone: +41 43 204 04 58
evelyn_nassar@barry-callebaut.com raphael_wermuth@barry-callebaut.com
for the media in Turkey:
Sevda Erensel
Managing Director
Willard Public Relations
Phone: +90 532 314 11 18
sevdaerensel@willardgroups.com
The news release (in PDF format) as well as pictures can be downloaded via the
following direct links:
Laboratory: http://hugin.info/100441/R/1732290/579544.jpg
Ceremony Picture 1: http://hugin.info/100441/R/1732290/579537.jpg
Press Release: http://hugin.info/100441/R/1732290/579519.pdf
Ceremony Picture 2: http://hugin.info/100441/R/1732290/579538.jpg
Factory Inside 2: http://hugin.info/100441/R/1732290/579543.jpg
Press Conference Presentation: http://hugin.info/100441/R/1732290/579535.pdf
Factory Inside 1: http://hugin.info/100441/R/1732290/579542.jpg
Factory Outside 1: http://hugin.info/100441/R/1732290/579539.jpg
Factory Outside 2: http://hugin.info/100441/R/1732290/579540.jpg
Barry Callebaut Logo: http://hugin.info/100441/R/1732290/579545.jpg
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