Swiss retail and foodservice conglomerate Valora Group has announced an ambitious plan to invest $100 million in the United States and Germany to enhance pretzel production capabilities.
Next month, Ditsch, Valora’s subsidiary that specializes in soft-pretzel products, will inaugurate a new bakery facility in Cincinnati, USA, with an investment of approximately $70 million. This strategic move aligns with ongoing trends in the food and beverage industry, positioning Ditsch to capture a larger share of the growing food and drink market.
In Germany, Valora intends to allocate over $30 million to upgrade and expand its existing production facilities. The company is particularly focused on boosting the capacity at the Oranienbaum bakery by the end of 2025 while optimizing operations at its Mainz bakery. This expansion reflects Valora’s commitment to meeting increasing consumer demand and adapting to evolving food and drink consumer trends.
Founded in Mainz in 1919, Ditsch now serves a global customer base across 38 countries, producing over 900 million baked goods annually and operating four production facilities. The new Cincinnati plant is projected to generate over 150 new jobs in the next two years, contributing to Ditsch’s current workforce of about 1,500 employees worldwide. This job creation underscores the company’s role in the food and drink business, providing significant economic benefits to local communities.
Valora Group’s CEO, Michael Mueller, remarked, “Ditsch expertly combines tradition with innovativeness and has thus grown into the world market leader for pretzel bakery products.” He further emphasized, “With our new, second plant in the US and the capacity expansions in Germany, we are laying the foundation for further growth.”
In the U.S., Valora caters primarily to third-party retail and foodservice customers, while in Germany, it serves foodservice clients and operates its own Ditsch storefronts. Sebastian Gooding, the CEO of Valora’s B2B foodservice division, stated, “With our strong teams, we deliver great-tasting products, a strong and resilient supply chain, and comprehensive food safety.” He expressed enthusiasm for the new plant’s ability to enhance supply capabilities in the U.S. wholesale market, while the expansion in Germany is set to better meet high demand.
Furthermore, Valora’s strategic expansion is expected to provide valuable insights into food and beverage industry trends, enabling the company to stay ahead in an ever-evolving market landscape.
In summary, the plans laid out by Valora and Ditsch reflect a proactive approach to growth in the food and drink sector, combining innovation and tradition to meet the rising demands of consumers worldwide.