13 November 2007 - French confectionery firm Cemoi plans to build a new 38 million euro plant near its headquarters in Perpignan.
According to French financial press reports, the new facility will cater for Cemoi's markets in the south of Europe and will replace the company's Barcelona plant, which was destroyed in a fire, and the existing Perpignan plant, which cannot be upgraded.
The reports add that the new upgradable 25,000 sq m plant is expected to be operational by the end of 2008 and will have an annual production capacity of 55,000 tons.
Cemoi will create 108 new jobs at the site, but will also transfer the workforce of 220 from its existing Perpignan plant.
The finanicial reports go on to say that Cemoi will also invest 6 million euro in its Dunkerque site next year to boost production from 20,000 to 40,000 tons.
Meanwhile, the firm will also invest in recently-acquired Polish cocoa grinder and chocolate producer Gryf in order to grow production.
In June, FLEXNEWS reported that Cemoi acquired Gryf in a move to develop its presence in eastern Europe, where its retailer customers are expanding as well.
Located in Perpignan, Cemoi has 11 factories throughout Europe and has a workforce of 2,500. The firm saw its 2006 turnover reach 500 million euro, of which 95% was generated in the western European market.