MONDELEZ INTERNATIONAL, INC. - State-of-the-art line supports growth of European confectionery business
- Continues company's supply-chain reinvention journey
SKARBIMIERZ, Poland, Sept. 2, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mondelēz International, the world's pre-eminent maker of chocolate, biscuits, gum and candy, today opened a new $30 million state-of-the-art chocolate production line here to capitalize on growing demand in its European confectionery business. The investment is part of the company's ongoing journey to create a global best-in-class integrated supply chain by transforming its manufacturing assets and processes to reduce costs and improve productivity.
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"We strongly believe in the growth opportunities in Europe's snacking market," said Jürgen Leiße President Central Europe, Mondelēz International. "As Poland's market leader in biscuits and chocolate, we know that maintaining our competitive advantage requires best-in-class manufacturing technology, such as the 'Line of the Future' introduced today."
At the opening event, Leiße was joined by the U.S. Consul General Walter Braunohler, who said, "Poland's best business asset is its motivated, capable and intelligent workforce. This is the main reason that more and more U.S. companies are establishing operations here in Poland, and the reason that companies that are already present continue to expand and hire more Polish workers. We're very pleased to see these increasing business linkages, which benefit both our countries."
"This Line of the Future is a big step forward, not only for Skarbimierz plant but also for the whole European snacking market," said Roman Sitko, Manufacturing Director. "Our passionate team is excited and proud to enter a new chapter with this innovative solution. This will enable us to produce some of Europe's best-loved brands and offer innovative snacking solutions."
Skarbimierz's new Line of the Future increases capacity, operates more efficiently and offers greater flexibility through its modular design. This new line is a first within the company's manufacturing network in Poland and only the second in Central Europe. The investment will support the growth aspirations of the company's chocolate and biscuit categories by enabling production of innovative snacking product formats for favorite brands such as Milka, Oreo, Cadbury and Terry's Chocolate Orange, as well as the beloved local Polish brand 3Bit.
This is the first major investment in the Skarbimierz factory since its opening in 2010. The investment brings modern technical solutions and improved safety standards to the plant to support an increase in production volume and up to 90 new positions. Today's announcement builds on Mondelēz International's earlier investment of $15 million to establish a global research and development center in the Wroclaw area.
Mondelez Poland
Mondelez Poland is a leading snacking company that has been operating in the Polish market for 23 years. Its portfolio includes well-known snacking brands, such as Milka and Alpen Gold chocolates, Prince Polo wafers, 3Bit candy bars, Milka, Oreo, belVita, Petitki, Lubisie, Delicje, San and Lakotki biscuits and Halls candies. The company has seven manufacturing sites in the country. The plants in Jankowice, Bielany Wroclawskie and Skarbimierz produce chocolate products. Skarbimierz is also home to a chewing gum plant. Plants in Jaroslaw, Cieszyn and Plonsk produce biscuits and wafers. The company employs approximately 3,300 people in Poland.
The plant in Skarbimierz has operated for five years and is the most modern chocolate factory in Europe, with around 400 employees. The new line, valued at $30 million, is the first major investment project in this factory since its launch in 2010. The products from this plant are sold in domestic and international markets. Skarbimierz is also the first Polish plant to implement the Integrated Lean Six Sigma quality management program to develop team capabilities and drive a high-performing culture.
About Mondelēz International
Mondelēz International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MDLZ) is a global snacking powerhouse, with pro forma 2014 revenue of more than $30 billion. Creating delicious moments of joy in 165 countries, Mondelēz International is a world leader in biscuits, chocolate, gum, candy and powdered beverages, with billion-dollar brands such as Oreo, LU and Nabisco biscuits; Cadbury, Cadbury Dairy Milk and Milka chocolate; Trident gum and Tang powdered beverages. Mondelēz International is a proud member of the Standard and Poor's 500, NASDAQ 100 and Dow Jones Sustainability Index. Visit www.mondelezinternational.com or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MDLZ.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains a number of forward-looking statements. Words, and variations of words, such as "will," "believe" and similar expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements about demand, market and category growth, and our investments and the expected results of those investments. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, which could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated in our forward-looking statements. Please see our risk factors, as they may be amended from time to time, set forth in our filings with the SEC, including our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K. Mondelez International disclaims and does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement in this press release, except as required by applicable law or regulation.
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CONTACT: Michael Mitchell (Media)
+1-847-943-5678
news@mdlz.com
Dexter Congbalay (Investors)
+1-847-943-5454
ir@mdlz.com
