Mondelēz International Opens Chocolate Manufacturing Line in Poland

Mondelēz International opened a new $30 million state-of-the-art chocolate production line in Skarbimierz, Poland to capitalize on growing demand in its European confectionery business. The investment is part of the company’s ongoing journey to create a global best-in-class integrated supply chain by transforming its manufacturing assets and processes to reduce costs and improve productivity. “We strongly believe in the growth opportunities in Europe’s snacking market,” says Jürgen Leiße, president central europe, Mondelēz International. “As Poland’s market leader in biscuits and chocolate, we know that maintaining our competitive advantage requires best-in-class manufacturing technology, such as the ‘Line of the Future’ introduced today.” At the opening event, Leiße was joined by the U.S. Consul General Walter Braunohler, who says, “Poland’s best business asset is its motivated, capable and intelligent workforce. This is the main reason that more and more U.S. companies are establishing operations here in Poland, and the reason that companies that are already present continue to expand and hire more Polish workers. We’re very pleased to see these increasing business linkages, which benefit both our countries.” Skarbimierz’s new Line of the Future increases capacity, operates more efficiently and offers greater flexibility through its modular design, company officials say. The line is a first within the company’s manufacturing network in Poland and only the second in Central Europe. The investment will support the growth aspirations of the company’s chocolate and biscuit categories by enabling production of innovative snacking product formats for favorite brands such as Milka, Oreo, Cadbury and Terry's Chocolate Orange, as well as the beloved local Polish brand 3Bit. “This Line of the Future is a big step forward, not only for Skarbimierz plant but also for the whole European snacking market,” says Roman Sitko, manufacturing director. “Our passionate team is excited and proud to enter a new chapter with this innovative solution. This will enable us to produce some of Europe’s best-loved brands and offer innovative snacking solutions.” This is the first major investment in the Skarbimierz factory since its opening in 2010. The investment brings modern technical solutions and improved safety standards to the plant to support an increase in production volume and up to 90 new positions. The opening builds on Mondelēz International’s earlier investment of $15 million to establish a global research and development center in the Wrocław area.