More than 100 jobs could be saved at a Carambar & Co. chocolate plant in France as local food peer Andros lines up to buy the site.
Both companies “have found the basis for an agreement”, in which employees at the factory near Blois in the Loir-et-Cher department will be retained.
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In June, Terry’s Chocolate Orange brand owner Carambar announced plans to close the Villebarou facility, which makes the Poulain line of chocolate, by the end of the year.
At the time, the company said “none of the efforts made to find an industrial solution to ensure continued activity at the site had been successful”, putting 109 jobs at risk.
If the deal goes through, family-owned Andros will continue production of Poulain chocolates at the site. A spokesperson confirmed Carambar will remain the owner of the brand, with the agreement pertaining to the retention of the 109 workers and the continuation of manufacturing at the plant.
A search for a buyer for the Villebarou plant was widened beyond “the players in chocolate production”, according to the statement.
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By GlobalDataAndros produces fruit desserts, jams, yogurts, peanut butter and plant-based puddings. It also manufactures juices and soft drinks.
“A visit to the site on 9 September 2024 provided an opportunity to discuss this project with the union leaders and the management committee, which will have to be submitted to the information and consultation of the social partners,” the statement read.
“In particular, it provides for the takeover of all the site’s employees, the maintenance of all Poulain production at the site in Blois for several years and plans to expand the activity with the buyer.”
Florian Delmas, Andros’ president, added: “Chocolate is gourmet and plant-based. This is why Andros is satisfied with this agreement, which is in line with its long-term development and allows, thanks to the wealth of the employees in place and their know-how, the preservation of jobs in the Blois region.”
Founded in 2017, Carambar’s confectionery also includes its namesake brand, along with Lutti sweets, Krema fruit cube candies and Vichy mint pastilles.
Aside from the Vallebarou site, the group manages five other plants in France.
CPK Group, which houses the Carambar brands, has been owned by European investment firm Eurazeo since 2017. It acquired CPK from Mondelez International.
Carambar president Marc Auclair said: “We are delighted to be able to offer our social partners and employees this project, which will make it possible to secure employment and the production of Poulain chocolate in Villebarou.
“Its formalisation is also the recognition of the know-how of all the teams and their commitment, including in difficult times.”
A final decision on the plans is expected to be made “in the coming days”, a timeframe that has yet to be confirmed, the Carambar spokesperson said.
