**Switzerland**: Mondelēz International announces a significant investment of 65 million Swiss Francs in its Toblerone manufacturing facility, aimed at enhancing production capabilities and supporting the brand’s growth in the premium chocolate market amidst rising global demand.
Mondelēz International, a prominent global player in the confectionery industry, has revealed plans to invest 65 million Swiss Francs (approximately US$78.72 million) in its Toblerone manufacturing facility located in Switzerland. This significant investment aims to enhance production capabilities and support Toblerone’s aspirations within the premium chocolate market.
The investment reflects Mondelēz’s commitment to solidifying Toblerone’s status as a leading brand in the world travel retail sector while expanding its global recognition. Iain Livingston, President of Toblerone & World Travel Retail, expressed the brand’s potential by stating, “Toblerone is one of the most famous chocolate brands in the world and has tremendous potential.” He highlighted the facility in Switzerland as crucial for the brand’s growth ambitions, noting, “Our center of excellence in Switzerland, where we proudly bring our brand and chocolate expertise worldwide, is key to the brand’s growth ambition to win in the premium segment.”
With the new investment, a state-of-the-art production line is scheduled to come into operation in the third quarter, aiming to address the rising demand for premium chocolate products. Additionally, the investment will support enhancements to the chocolate and nougat-making capabilities at the facility, improving infrastructure and logistics.
Tim Spickenbaum, the director of the Bern facility, noted that the site already produces an impressive four million Toblerone products daily. He expressed enthusiasm about the planned modernisations, stating, “We are delighted about the planned modernisations and investments, which will not only enhance manufacturing capacity but also solidify Bern’s position as the home and heart of the triangular brand icon.”
In relation to its broader operations, Mondelēz previously announced a comprehensive overhaul of its supply chain, including a substantial US$1.2 billion investment in the United States aimed at improving output and performance over the next five years. This initiative will incorporate advanced technologies and restructure the firm’s enterprise resource planning (ERP) strategy. The company plans to collaborate with SAP and Accenture to leverage their expertise in generative AI, cloud computing, and advanced analytics to boost operational efficiencies.
Luca Zaramella, Mondelēz’s Chief Financial Officer, expressed confidence in this strategic transformation. He stated, “We believe, given also the resources we have internally, and importantly, the ones we have secured through SAP and Accenture, that we will have a good opportunity to execute as well.”
The ongoing investments and strategic advancements reflect Mondelēz International’s commitment to maintaining its leadership position in the competitive confectionery market while responding to consumer demand for high-quality products.
Source: Noah Wire Services
