Located approximately 250 km south-east of Mumbai in Baramati, the new facility represents the Group’s biggest investment in India to date.
The new chocolate factory and warehouse includes an R&D lab and assembly lines capable of manufacturing chocolate and compound in different delivery formats, catering to the various needs of its customers – international food manufacturers, local confectioneries and semi-industrial bakers and patisseries.
‘Make in India'
In a statement the Group said the new factory, it’s third in India, underlines its commitment to the world’s second most populous country, and a confectionery market with great potential, while being a part of the government’s ‘Make in India’ to encourage companies to manufacture in India.
Antoine de Saint-Affrique, CEO of the Barry Callebaut Group said: “Once fully operational, the 20,000 square meter facility will employ between 100 to 120 people, thus creating new skilled jobs, mainly in engineering and production. The new plant also features a variety of energy and water-saving solutions in the areas of infrastructure, production equipment and the overall facility energy control system.”
In addition to the new chocolate factory in Baramati, Barry Callebaut’s production network in India includes another chocolate factory in Pune (Maharashtra) and a specialties and decorations factory, also located in Baramati. The Group also has a Chocolate Academy and sales office in Mumbai.
Double-digit growth
Over the past four years, Barry Callebaut said it has seen double-digit growth in India, along with an enthusiastic consumer response towards innovative chocolate such as Ruby chocolate. Demand for high-quality chocolate has been rising, which has prompted a concurrent increase in domestic chocolate production.