Barry Callebaut has further strengthened its local presence in Mexico and Central America, and moved closer to its customers there by opening a second factory in the country.

The new factory in Toluca, 65 km southwest from Mexico City, significantly increases production capacity. It also means that Mexico is now ranked fourth in the world for liquid chocolate production capacity for Barry Callebaut.

As announced in June 2011,Barry Callebaut acquired the industrial chocolate and compound production facility in Toluca from Chocolates Turin to further strengthen its presence in fast-growing emerging markets.

In January 2012, Barry Callebaut announced the expansion of the acquired factory based on the signing of a long-term outsourcing agreement with Grupo Bimbo.

Together with its chocolate factory in Monterrey (Mexico), the extension of the factory in Toluca marks an important cornerstone in Barry Callebaut's strategy to expand into emerging markets that offer above-average growth opportunities.

The factory has an annual production capacity of about 65,000 tons, which means it’s among the largest factories within Barry Callebaut's global network. The reopened facility has created more than 140 jobs.

Since fiscal year 2011-12, Barry Callebaut has invested about $48 million in the factory, to integrate a high level of automation and meet the highest quality standards and guarantee maximum food safety.

Barry Callebaut established operations in Mexico in 2009 when it opened its first chocolate factory in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon.

After four years of actively being present in the domestic market, the company became the largest manufacturer of chocolate on an industrial scale in Mexico, providing more than 300 jobs and manufacturing chocolate products for small to large food manufacturers in its two local factories.

Barry Callebaut operates ten chocolate, two cocoa and one combined (cocoa and chocolate) factories in the Americas.

Petra Foods Cocoa Ingredients acquisition closes

In related news, Barry Callebaut successfully closed its acquisition of the Cocoa Ingredients Division from Petra Foods, which it bought for $860 million. The company says it’s an excellent strategic fit with the core of Barry Callebaut's existing business and the acquisition will support the company's overall growth

The move makes Barry Callebaut the world’s leading cocoa powder supplier, in addition to being the global leader in chocolate.

The new division is expected to be fully integrated with Barry Callebaut within 12 to 18 months.