The Barry Callebaut Group, the world’s leading manufacturer of high-quality chocolate and cocoa products, is expanding its North American presence by building a new specialty chocolate factory in Ontario, Canada. Expected to be operational by 2024, it will focus on manufacturing sugar-free chocolate, high-protein, and other specialty products to meet increasing customer demand.
The new state-of-the-art factory is planned to have an initial annual production capacity of over 50,000 tonnes. Total investment volume over a period of 10 years is projected to amount to $104 million. The company expects to create over 200 new jobs to staff the new facility, which also help support the strategic supply partnership between Barry Callebaut and Hershey, under which, Barry Callebaut supplies Hershey’s North American business with liquid chocolate and finished products.
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The new factory in Ontario marks the group’s biggest capital investment ever in the region and will be in addition to the 15 chocolate and cocoa processing factories Barry Callebaut currently has across the Americas. The investment fits its strategy to continuously increase its global footprint, locating production close to its customers.
“Consumers are searching for healthier and tasty solutions for the foods they love,” says Steve Woolley, president of the Region Americas of Barry Callebaut. “Free from foods, like sugar-free or dairy-free, are healthier options that satisfy the indulgence they are craving. By adding a sugar-free facility, Barry Callebaut is positioning itself to be a leader in ‘better for you’ offerings for our customers, which include a wide range of low- and sugar-free solutions.”
