The Barry Callebaut Group is set acquire GKC Foods (Australia) Pty Ltd, a producer of chocolate, coatings and fillings, serving consumer chocolate brands in Australia and New Zealand.
In a statement the Group said the strategic acquisition establishes its direct presence and manufacturing capacity in the growing Australian market.
“The acquisition of GKC Foods empowers the Group to expand its position in the industrial chocolate market and to leverage its value-adding Gourmet & Specialties business in Australia and New Zealand. Barry Callebaut will continue to work with local distributors across Australia and New Zealand who have been importing and distributing its industrial and Gourmet chocolate and cocoa products to the country since the 1970s.”
Australia and New Zealand have an average chocolate consumption of approximately 5 kilograms per capita, the highest per-capita chocolate consumption in Asia Pacific, according to Euromonitor.
In Australia, demand for chocolate has been on the rise – the chocolate confectionery market in the country grew well above the global market according to Nielsen.
‘Made in Australia’
GKC Foods has been manufacturing ‘Made in Australia’ chocolate and confectionery products since the 1980s. The company produces a wide range of products including organic and vegan chocolate for dedicated chocolate shops, gourmet delis, specialty food outlets, and key national retailers. The company operates a chocolate factory and a warehouse in Melbourne.
Barry Callebaut said its investment involves upgrading and expanding the factory’s existing infrastructure, installing a new state-of-the-art chocolate production line, and the deployment of an integrated management system to enhance automated production. In addition, the company will employ approximately 50 people at the site, including GKC Foods' existing employees, who will transfer to Barry Callebaut upon completion of the transaction.
"We strongly believe in the growth opportunities of the Australian and New Zealand chocolate confectionery markets. We already have the highest quality products today and we will further grow our competitive advantage through the acquisition of, and investment in, the best-in-class GKC Foods manufacturing facility in Australia, said Ben De Schryver, president of Barry Callebaut in Asia Pacific
The transaction is subject to regulatory approval and other closing conditions. Barry Callebaut said expected completion is before the end of this calendar year. The parties have agreed not to disclose any financial details of the transaction.
