Barry Callebaut takes over Dijon factory, San Sisto production line

Press Release
Expansion
Successful closing of transaction with Nestlé
  • Regulatory authorities give approval for takeover by Barry Callebaut from Nestlé of a chocolate factory in Dijon, France and the cocoa liquor and liquid chocolate making facility at Nestlé’s factory in San Sisto, Italy
  • Works council consultations completed successfully
  • Barry Callebaut to start liquid chocolate and consumer product deliveries to Nestlé in the next few months.
Barry Callebaut, the world’s leading manufacturer of high-quality cocoa and chocolate products, announces today the closing of its transaction with Nestlé. The transaction comprises the takeover from Nestlé of a chocolate factory in Dijon, France and the cocoa liquor and liquid chocolate making facility at Nestlé’s factory in San Sisto, Italy as well as a long-term supply agreement of 43,000 metric tonnes of chocolate products per year to Nestlé in France, Italy and Russia. The transaction increases Barry Callebaut’s production capacity by around 100,000 metric tonnes and allows the company to capture growth opportunities in the fast-growing Mediterranean region. 
 
Patrick De Maeseneire, CEO of Barry Callebaut, said: “The negotiations with Nestlé and with the employee representatives went very well, and all works relating to the transfer have been initiated in due course so that we were ready to take over on July 1. The integration of the newly acquired assets is proceeding as planned, thanks to the good support we have received from Nestlé. The cooperation between the two companies was exemplary. I am very pleased that we have now finalized this agreement, which marks an important step ahead in Barry Callebaut’s strategy to be the outsourcing partner of choice for the chocolate industry.”
 
The newly acquired production facilities will be integrated into the Barry Callebaut Group as of July 1, 2007. Deliveries to Nestlé will begin in the next few months.

Barry Callebaut:
With annual sales of more than CHF 4 billion for fiscal year 2005/06, Zurich-based Barry Callebaut is the world’s leading manufacturer of high-quality cocoa, chocolate and confectionery products – from the cocoa bean to the finished product on the store shelf. Barry Callebaut is present in 23 countries, operates more than 30 production facilities and employs approximately 8,000 people. The company serves the entire food industry, from food manufacturers to professional users of chocolate (such as chocolatiers, pastry chefs or bakers), to global retailers. It also provides a comprehensive range of services in the fields of product development, processing, training and marketing.
 
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