• Consolidation of liquid and solid industrial chocolate production in Great Britain
• Chester plant to be closed end of March 2013

Barry Callebaut AG, the world’s leading manufacturer of high-quality cocoa and chocolate products, today announced that it will concentrate its liquid as well as solid industrial chocolate production in Great Britain at its factory in Banbury. For this, the company will increase the production capacities at this site, also broadening the product range for the company’s customers. The consolidation of activities in Banbury is following a trend towards more customer deliveries in solid form.

In this context, Barry Callebaut will relocate its current manufacturing activities in Chester to the Banbury factory. Since 1992, the company has been operating a line for the production of liquid milk chocolate in Chester with an annual capacity of 25,000 tonnes.

Barry Callebaut employs 25 people at its factory in Chester. A consultation process has been started in order to guarantee a socially responsible procedure.

The closing of the Chester plant is planned for the end of March 2013.

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Barry Callebaut:
With annual sales of about CHF 4.8 billion (EUR 4.0 billion / USD 5.2 billion) for fiscal year 2011/12, Zurich-based Barry Callebaut is the world’s leading manufacturer of high-quality cocoa and chocolate – from the cocoa bean to the finest chocolate product. Barry Callebaut is present in 30 countries, operates around 45 production facilities and employs a diverse and dedicated workforce of about 6,000 people. Barry Callebaut serves the entire food industry focusing on industrial food manufacturers, artisans and professional users of chocolate (such as chocolatiers, pastry chefs or bakers), the latter with its two global brands Callebaut^® and Cacao Barry^®. Barry Callebaut is the global leader in cocoa and chocolate innovations and provides a comprehensive range of services in the fields of product development, processing, training and marketing. Cost leadership is another important reason why global as well as local food manufacturers work together with Barry Callebaut. Through its broad range of sustainability initiatives and research activities, the company works with farmers, farmer organizations and other partners to help ensure future supplies of cocoa and improve farmer livelihoods.