M&As

Lovechock eyes expansion after company takeover

By Anthony Myers

- Last updated on GMT

Raw cacao pioneers Lovechock has a new owner. Pic: Lovechock
Raw cacao pioneers Lovechock has a new owner. Pic: Lovechock
Lovechock, the Dutch raw cacao company, has been acquired by Belgian family-owned company Pauwels Engineering NV, the two parties have announced in a statement.

Pauwels Engineering NV is a holding company for, among others, The Belgian Chocolate Group NV, which recently invested in a vegan-only chocolate production facility in Croatia. This state-of-the-art machinery will enable Lovechock to produce new free-from chcolate

Lovechock founders declared the deal will “strengthen the company’s vision for the future​”, while Pauwels Engineering NV will take over 100% of Lovechock BV, but states that it continues to rely on the structure of the Dutch brand, meaning, Lovechock will remain 100% independent and based in Amsterdam.

There are also changes regarding the manufacturing. The production site in Heerhugowaard (NL) will close. All Lovechock products will be produced by Belgian Gourmet d.o.o. (also owned by Pauwels Engineering NV). All manufactured products made by Belgian Gourmet d.o.o., branded and non-branded, will be sold and marketed by Lovechock BV.

Adriaan Hoogmartens becomes the new General Manager of Lovechock. Together with Luc Laureys as operational manager of Belgian Gourmet d.o.o. and Franziska Rosario as Marketing Lead they form a strong team, ready to take Lovechock to a higher level.

The team said it sees particular growth potential in the expanded technological production options and the development of innovative chocolate products.

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