More than 100 jobs are likely to be preserved at the Carambar & Co. chocolate plant in France, as Andros, a local food company, expresses interest in acquiring the facility.
Both companies have “found the basis for an agreement,” which aims to keep the employees at the factory located near Blois in the Loir-et-Cher department.
In June, Carambar, the owner of the renowned Terry’s Chocolate Orange brand, revealed plans to shut down the Villebarou site by the end of this year, which produces the Poulain line of chocolate. At that time, the company stated, “none of the efforts made to find an industrial solution to ensure continued activity at the site had been successful,” placing 109 jobs in jeopardy.
Should the acquisition proceed, Andros, a family-owned business, intends to maintain chocolate production at the site. We have reached out to both companies for clarification on whether this includes Poulain chocolates and if any licensing agreements are part of the deal.
The search for a buyer for the Villebarou plant expanded beyond “the players in chocolate production,” signaling a wider exploration of potential acquisition options.
Andros specializes in a diverse range of products, including fruit desserts, jams, yogurts, peanut butter, and plant-based puddings, along with juices and soft drinks.
A visit to the site on September 9, 2024, facilitated discussions between union leaders and the management committee. This dialogue is set to be presented to the relevant social partners to ensure a comprehensive consultation process.
The terms proposed include the retention of all current employees, the continuation of Poulain production at the Blois site for several years, and intentions to expand operations under new ownership.
Florian Delmas, president of Andros, emphasized, “Chocolate is gourmet and plant-based. This is why Andros is satisfied with this agreement, which aligns with its long-term development goals and leverages the expertise of existing employees to preserve jobs in the Blois region.”
Carambar, founded in 2017, has a notable range of confectioneries, including its namesake brand and products like Lutti sweets, Krema fruit cube candies, and Vichy mint pastilles. The group operates five manufacturing plants across France and has been under the ownership of European investment firm Eurazeo since 2017, following its acquisition from Mondelez International.
Carambar’s president, Marc Auclair, expressed optimism, stating, “We are delighted to be able to offer our social partners and employees this project, which will secure employment and the production of Poulain chocolate in Villebarou. Its formalization also acknowledges the expertise of our teams and their dedication during challenging times.”
A final decision regarding the plans is anticipated in the forthcoming days, adhering to trends in the food and beverage industry, especially as companies navigate consumer preferences in the food and drink sector.
In the competitive landscape of the food and drink business, such developments are crucial. Keeping a close watch on food and drink consumer trends will be vital as the situation unfolds.
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