Our History
(Archive 1996-2013)
Our History
(Archive 1996-2013)
The Barry Callebaut Group, headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, resulted from a merger in 1996 between two iconic chocolate makers, the Belgian Callebaut and the French Cacao Barry. During the past quarter of a century, Barry Callebaut Group became the world's leading manufacturer of high-quality chocolate and cocoa products, mastering every step in the value chain from the sourcing of raw materials to the production of the finest chocolates. We are the heart and engine of the chocolate industry and our mission is to be number one in all attractive customer segments. We are a business-to-business company, fully vertically integrated with a strong position in cocoa-origin countries and a unique global footprint.
2013
- Inauguration of the 16th CHOCOLATE ACADEMY™ center on the premises of the Barry Callebaut Group’s EEMEA headquarters in Istanbul
- Inauguration of the Group’s first chocolate factory in Turkey located in Eskişehir
- EU Commission approves Barry Callebaut’s health claim on cocoa flavanols
- Opening of a cocoa factory in Makassar, Indonesia (with joint venture partner P.T. Comextra Majora)
- Inauguration of the first Cocoa Center of Excellence to promote advanced agricultural techniques in Côte d’Ivoire
- Acquisition of the cocoa business of Singapore-based Petra Foods
- Opening of an expanded state-of-the-art chocolate factory in Toluca, Mexico
- Acquisition of ASM Foods AB in Sweden and signing of first long-term outsourcing agreement in Scandinavia with Carletti A/S
- Signing of first long-term outsourcing agreement in South America with Arcor
2012
- EFSA issues positive Scientific Opinion on Barry Callebaut’s health claim on cocoa flavanols
- Signing of long-term outsourcing/partnership agreement with Unilever, Grupo Bimbo (Mexico) and Morinaga (Japan)
- Purchasing Chatham facility from Batory Industries Company in Ontario (Canada)
- Launch of new “Cocoa Horizons” initiative based on strategic pillar Sustainable Cocoa
- Acquisition of the Spanish la Morella nuts
- Acquisition of American chocolate decorations manufacturer Mona Lisa Food Products, Inc.
2011
- Barry Callebaut and P.T. Comextra Majora enter into joint venture to form P.T. Barry Callebaut Comextra Indonesia
- Sale of European Consumer Products business to Belgian Baronie Group
- Signing of long-term outsourcing agreement with Chocolates Turín, Mexico
- Expansion of the existing supply and innovation agreement with Hershey’s
- Acquisition of remaining 40% stake in Barry Callebaut Malaysia Sdn Bhd, formerly KLK Cocoa
2010
- Signing of a major outsourcing contract with Kraft Foods Inc.
- Opening of a chocolate factory in Extrema, Brazil
2009
- Acquisition of Spanish chocolate maker Chocovic, S.A
- Acquisition of Danish vending mix company Eurogran
- Distribution agreement signed with Bunge Alimentos in Brazil
- Sale of Van Houten Singapore consumer business to Hershey's
2008
- Opening of a chocolate factory in Monterrey, Mexico
- Outsourcing agreement with Morinaga in Japan and start of production in new factory
- Acquisition of IBC, specialist in decorations, in Kortrijk-Heule, Belgium
- Sale of African Consumer business
- Opening of CHOCOLATE ACADEMY™ centers in Suzhou (China), Zundert (Netherlands), Mumbai (India), Chekhov (Russia) and Chicago (U.S.)
- Opening of a sales office and CHOCOLATE ACADEMY™ center in Mumbai, India
- Acquisition of a 60% stake in KLK Cocoa in Malaysia
- Acquisition of a 49% stake in Biolands, Tanzania
- Opening of a chocolate factory in Suzhou, China
2007
- Signing of major outsourcing contracts with Nestlé, Hershey’s and Cadbury
- Opening of Region Americas' headquarters in Chicago, US
- Divestment of Brach’s Confections Holding, Inc. in the U.S.
- Opening of a chocolate factory in Chekhov, Russia
- Acquisition of a cocoa factory in Pennsylvania, U.S.
2005
- Opening of a chocolate factory in California, U.S.
2004
- Acquisition of the vending mix business of AM Foods in Sweden
2003
- Acquisition of Brach’s Confections Holding, Inc. in the U.S
- Acquisition of Dutch Group Graverboom B.V. (including Luijckx B.V.)
2002
- Acquisition of the Stollwerck Group in Germany
1999
- Acquisition of Carma AG in Switzerland
1998
- Barry Callebaut (BARN) is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange
1997
- Barry Callebaut grows through geographic expansion into strategic growth markets and outsourcing contracts
1996
- The Belgian chocolate producer Callebaut and the French chocolate company Cacao Barry join forces, creating a new company called Barry Callebaut
