Barry Callebaut to close cocoa plant

Swiss-based chocolate company Barry Callebaut said this week that it is currently in discussions with the Works Council, the Dutch unions and the European Works Council about the proposed closure of its cocoa processing factory in Bussum, Netherlands.

In a bid to limit the consequences of the necessary lay-offs, the company said in a statement that it is drawing up a Social Plan in close co-operation with the unions and the Works Council. The proposed closure would affect approximately 100 employees, the company added.

The closure is in line with Barry Callebaut​'s strategy of reducing its semi-finished business for third-party customers due to shrinking prices, which requires adjustments in production capacities. In addition, in order to meet the environmental requirements necessary tokeep the factory open, high investments would be required. Callebaut said that such investments could not be justified given the envisaged capacity reduction of semi-finished products. The company gave no indication as to when the factory is expected to close.