Haas expands in India thanks to Bühler acquisition
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It also recently signed new clients including the National Service Projects Organization (NSPO) in Egypt, which manufactures civilian products and provides contracting services in the country, and a long-time Turkish customer, which invested in a chocolate coating machine for a flat wafer production line.
One clear identity
Speaking to BakeryandSnacks, Germer Wacker, CEO, Haas Group, said the company is known for its machinery in wafer, cookie production, mixing and aerating creams while Bühler dominates in milling, bakery, and processing chocolate and nuts.
“The product range is key here in that there are no overlaps. Of course, the acquisition represents a big change, however having one clear identity offers many advantages,” he said.
“What matters is that we adjust the internal organization to further establish the Grains & Food and Advanced Materials business but also Consumer Foods.
“We have combined the areas of wafers, biscuits, mixes, baked goods, chocolate, nuts and more into the Consumer Foods business.”
As part of the changes, Haas will become Bühler this year, meaning the Haas logo will be replaced with the Bühler logo. On the product level, it will continue its established brands of Franz Haas, Haas-Meincke and Haas-Mondomix.
Wacker added the company is also working on the necessary internal integration such as IT systems and other organizational adjustments running in the background ‘as silently as possible’.
“Step by step we will co-ordinate and optimize our machine and system technology,” he said.
Global service network
“Bühler’s global service network is also available to all customers of Haas, which means we can be onsite even faster. This will have a positive influence on the availability of the systems from Haas.”
Examples where Haas is continuing to see success is in Japan where it has a ‘strong chocolate market’ and with Bühler having a strong presence in Japan, Haas is expanding its wafer and biscuit products there.
“India is one of the largest biscuit markets worldwide and before the acquisition Haas only had a sales and service facility there but Bühler has a manufacturing plant there so Haas is now producing ovens locally there,” added Wacker.
“Meanwhile, the Bühler team in Indonesia is supporting Haas in importing replacement parts for a large customer and in Angola, the good business connections of Bühler gave us the opportunity to meet with local producers.
“We are activating the service centres for Haas as quickly as we can. To do so, we have to train the technicians, establish regional spare part warehouses, and notify customers.”
