Following on from expansion into India after the groundbreaking of its third manufacturing facility in the region, Barry Callebaut has announced the expansion of its Canadian factory in Chatham, Ontario, with the investment of US$100 million.
This marks the next phase of expansion for the Chatham factory as the expansion began in 2018 with an initial investment of $30 million for additional liquid storage capacity, to expand the variety of products that are available to customers. An additional $70 million has been invested in the product portfolio and manufacturing capabilities by the end of the 2022/2023 fiscal year. Ongoing investments will bring total investment in the factory to $100 million.
The company says it expects these investments to allow it to drive long-term growth in the growing compound chocolate market in the US. Production at the facility currently includes a broad product range from liquid milk and dark compound to moulded product.
The investment includes both liquid and moulding lines, as well as enhancing capabilities for the production of dairy-free compound to accommodate growing consumer demand for plant-based products. White compound production will be added in 2023.
“This new capacity will satisfy growing demand from both food manufacturers and gourmet customers for our compound solutions in this dynamic consumer market,” said Balaji Padmanabhan, VP of Operations and Supply Chain Americas at Barry Callebaut.
“This Chatham expansion marks another milestone for our region,” added Steve Woolley, President and CEO Americas at Barry Callebaut. “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.
In April, the company announced an investment of $104 million into a new specialty chocolate factory in Brantford Canada, which will focus on sugar-free chocolate, high protein and other specialty products. In the announcement they explained it will also help meet demand for guilt-free indulgence as “‘Free from’ foods like sugar-free or dairy-free are healthier options that also satisfy the indulgence they are craving,” explained Steve Woolley.
According to Barry Callebaut, the Chatham factory has created almost 100 direct jobs and 25 indirect hires.
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