Barry Callebaut to acquire Russian chocolate maker
The Barry Callebaut Group, a manufacturer of high-quality chocolate and cocoa products, has signed an agreement to acquire Inforum, a Russian business-to-business producer of chocolate, coatings, and fillings that serves many of the well-known consumer chocolate brands in Russia.
The Barry Callebaut Group, a manufacturer of high-quality chocolate and cocoa products, has signed an agreement to acquire Inforum, a Russian business-to-business producer of chocolate, coatings, and fillings that serves many of the well-known consumer chocolate brands in Russia. The acquisition of Inforum will enable Barry Callebaut to significantly expand its presence and manufacturing capacity in Russia, the world’s second largest chocolate confectionery market in volume terms.
Inforum started its business in 1989 by selling cocoa products. Today, the company operates a production site in Kasimov, Ryazan Oblast, and employs more than 300 people, who will transfer to Barry Callebaut upon completion of the transaction. The company had 2017 sales revenue of about €77 million.
“We are delighted to join forces with such an established, locally engrained Russian company,” said Antoine de Saint-Affrique, CEO of the Barry Callebaut Group. “Inforum’s heritage and local knowledge, combined with our innovation capabilities and international experience, will reinforce each other’s strengths. Together, we will be able to bring further excellence and innovation to the market and to serve Russian consumer chocolate manufacturers even better.”
The transaction is subject to regulatory approval and other closing conditions. Expected completion is by the end of the calendar year.