Kraft Foods (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., part of the Mondelez International Inc. family of companies, hosted a groundbreaking ceremony on June 13 for the expansion of its biscuit plant in Suzhou, China. With a total investment of approximately $85 million, the project spans more than 98,000 sq. ft. (30,000 sq. meters) and is expected to be completed in August 2014.

The project will more than double the plant’s current capacity and create 340 new jobs. The Suzhou plant will feature state-of-the-art production lines to make Oreo and Chips Ahoy! biscuits to meet the growing demand from Chinese consumers. This project is consistent with the company’s previously announced strategy to invest in emerging markets to drive sustainable, profitable growth.

“We deeply appreciate the Suzhou government’s help and support for Kraft Foods China and this project,” says Shawn Warren, president of Kraft Foods China. “Since the introduction of Oreo and Chips Ahoy! to China in 1996, the country has become our second-largest market for these brands globally, after the United States, due to our consistent focus on quality, innovation and marketing. After this project is completed, the expanded plant will be a model in our global supply chain network.”

“The Kraft Foods’ Suzhou plant has set examples in the Suzhou Industrial Park in terms of production efficiency, energy savings, emissions reductions and community involvement,” says Madam Sun YanYan, vice chairman of the Suzhou Industrial Park Administrative Committee. “We’re pleased to see that this project will further drive the development of the local economy.”

Mondelez International currently operates two manufacturing plants and a regional biscuit research and development center in Suzhou.

Source: Mondelez International, Inc., PR Newswire