UK-based snacking giant Pladis has inaugurated a new regional headquarters in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. As the manufacturer of the McVitie’s biscuit brand and a subsidiary of Turkish conglomerate Yildiz Holding, Pladis aims to use this new facility as a central hub to oversee operations across the Middle East, North Africa, and India.
The headquarters is strategically situated within the Zahran Business Center, nestled in Jeddah’s bustling business district. This move is positioned as a “significant milestone” for Pladis, propelling its strategic growth and expansion within the food and beverage industry.
Suryakant Pandey, the managing director for the Middle East, North Africa, and India at Pladis, emphasized, “The opening of our new headquarters in Jeddah is a pivotal step in our journey towards strengthening our presence in the region. This office embodies our commitment to investing in our people and our business, providing a modern, collaborative space that will drive innovation and growth across our operations. As we continue to expand, this new office will serve as the cornerstone of our regional strategy, enabling us to better serve our customers and communities.”
Pladis, which also encompasses well-known brands such as Godiva, Jacob’s, Carr’s, and Go Ahead, has a diverse product portfolio spanning categories including sweet and savory biscuits, wafers, cakes, and chocolates.
The company boasts a global workforce of 16,000 employees and operates 27 bakeries across 11 countries. The integration of Belgian chocolatier Godiva into Pladis commenced in 2023, with completion anticipated in 2024; Godiva was acquired by Yıldız Holding in 2008 prior to this integration.
Saudi Arabia has increasingly attracted foreign investment in recent years. According to figures from the Saudi Central Bank, foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows surged by 29.1% in Q3 2023 compared to the previous quarter, reaching SAR7.99 billion (approximately $2.13 billion), up from SAR6.2 billion.
