Mondelez International has confirmed plans to close two factories, in Lebanon and Morocco, as it looks to streamline its gum production base in the region.
In Morocco, Mondelez is closing its gum facility in Casablanca. The Clorets, Clark’s and Action chewing gum brands and the Halls candy brand are produced on the site. The company said the 43 permanent staff at the site will be offered jobs at its Casablanca-based beverage or biscuit facilities.
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Meanwhile, in Lebanon the group will close its production facility in Beirut. The move will impact 105 permanent employees at the site, which manufactures the Chiclets, Clorets and Halls brands.
“The HQ for Cadbury Adams Middle East will remain in Beirut to serve the company’s commercial activities in the Levant, where it intends to further develop a variety of brands from its iconic portfolio,” a Mondelez spokesperson told just-food.
The spokesperson added that it was as yet undetermined where production would be moved to, but supplies will not be affected in either market.
The closures come as part of a “wider strategy for gum and candy business” in the region, the spokesperson added. “We are re-evaluating our manufacturing footprint and focusing on greater efficiencies through large-scale manufacturing sites.”
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By GlobalDataGum and candy is the second-largest category for Mondelez in its Eastern Europe, Middle East and Afrida region after chocolate. It is focused on six key markets: Russia, Ukraine and “new markets” – Central Asia, the Caucasus and Belarus – Turkey, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa.
