INDONESIA – Switzerland-based chocholate and cocoa products producer, Barry Callebaut has inaugurated its second chocolate manufacturing plant in Rancaekek, Indonesia.
The new factory follows Barry Callebaut’s “plant in plant” concept, where the Group integrates new production facilities at the premises of its customer’s factories, in this case Garudafood’s Rancaekek biscuit factory.
In November 2018, Barry Callebaut signed an additional long-term supply agreement for chocolate and compound to Garudafood, one of the largest food and beverage companies in Indonesia, that facilitated Callebaut’s investment in the plant.
Barry Callebaut, which opened its first chocolate factory in Indonesia in October 2016, invested US$2.86 million (IDR40 billion) in the second manufacturing plant.
Ben De Schryver, President of Barry Callebaut Asia Pacific said: “Our second chocolate factory in Indonesia underlines our commitment to this country.
“Barry Callebaut will continue to invest in the development of our manufacturing capabilities and continue to offer new products with our customers such as Garudafood.
“We are excited by our long-standing relationship with Garudafood and the potential of the confectionery market in Indonesia.”
Barry Callebaut and Garudafood have been collaborating on innovation activities and plan to develop new products that will cater to the growing Indonesian chocolate market.
According to Euromonitor, the annual chocolate consumption per capita in Indonesia is just around 300 grams, while the demand for chocolate has been on the rise – as sales volume of chocolate confectionery grew by 3.4% in 2018 .
“Our collaboration with Barry Callebaut, which started in 2015, is one of Garudafood’s open innovation strategy in support of Industry 4.0,” Hardianto Atmadja, CEO of PT Garudafood Putra Putri Jaya Tbk said.
“Barry Callebaut’s broad activities in Indonesia contribute to the economy of this country and further support Garudafood’s achievement in producing a variety of innovative.”
Barry Callebaut currently has more than 550 employees across Indonesia. It is also committed to expanding its sustainability activities for cocoa farmers in Indonesia through its Forever Chocolate program.
In the last 12 months, the company has expanded its sales operations in Australia, Indonesia and the Philippines, in addition to its existing sales offices in India, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand.
It recently announced the ground breaking of a new chocolate factory in India which is expected to be ready in mid-2020.
