Barry Callebaut AG and Unilever have signed a new long-term global partnership agreement.
January 23, 2012
Barry Callebaut AG and Unilever have signed a new long-term global partnership agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, Barry Callebaut will become Unilever’s strategic global supplier and innovation partner of choice for its cocoa and chocolate needs.
This new global supply agreement builds on the existing working relationship and will nearly double Barry Callebaut’s current volumes with Unilever. Ultimately, Barry Callebaut will provide 70% of Unilever’s global cocoa and chocolate products. This will be achieved under a wide-ranging joint business development plan involving close cooperation across the areas of innovation, sustainable sourcing, capacity expansion, and value improvement.
“Our ice cream category has a significant role to play in Unilever’s sustainable growth model to deliver our ambition of doubling the size of our business whilst reducing our environmental impact. Our leadership position has been built on great taste, innovation, and increasingly sustainable ingredients. We need partners like Barry Callebaut to help us extend this position and achieve our overall aim,” said Kevin Havelock, President of Unilever’s Refreshment Category.
As a result of the agreement, Barry Callebaut will invest approximately CHF 22 million ($24 million) in its worldwide factory network in order to prepare the capacity required to fulfill the long-term partnership agreement. The additional volumes have a ramp-up period of 12 months, starting immediately.
Press release