14 October 2008 - Swiss retailer Migros has announced that it will merge its Chocolat Frey SA et Delica SA businesses into one unit.
Frey's current director Hans-Ruedi Christen will be in charge of both operations.
The companies' production activities will not be altered and will remain in Buchs (Frey) and Birsfelden (Delica). However, Migros anticipates the transfer of some Delica workers to Buchs as well as some job cuts.
Migros said that it expects the merged company to perform better in the international market in the long term once it is formed during the course of 2009.
Established in 1887, Chocolat Frey AG claims to be the best-selling chocolate in Switzerland, and is the only major brand of chocolate produced entirely within the country. Migros acquired Frey in 1950 but retained the brand name and manufacturing center of Frey chocolate. In 2006, Frey chocolate began to export outside of Switzerland for the first time, starting with sales in the United States.
Established in 1954, Delica buys, refines and sells raw materials and commodities, such as coffee and non-perishable food items like dried fruit, nuts, kernels, spices, pulse, dried mushrooms and tea. Delica is also Switzerland’s largest coffee-roaster.