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Barry Callebaut

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Barry Callebaut AG
Company typeAktiengesellschaft
SIX: BARN
ISINCH0009002962 Edit this on Wikidata
FoundedMerger of Cacao Barry and Callebaut in 1996; 28 years ago (1996)
HeadquartersZürich, Switzerland
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
  • Patrick De Maeseneire, Chairman
  • Peter Feld, CEO[1]
ProductsCocoa and Chocolate[2][3]
Revenue10,386,300,000 Swiss franc (2023/2024)
704,400,000 Swiss franc (2023/2024)
417,500,000 Swiss franc (2023/2024)
Number of employees
13,423 (2023/2024)[4]
WebsiteBarry-Callebaut.com

Barry Callebaut AG is a Swiss-Belgian cocoa processor and chocolate manufacturer,[5] with an average annual production of 2.3 million tonnes of cocoa & chocolate (fiscal year 2021/2022).[6] It was created in 1996 through the merging of the French company Cacao Barry and the Belgian chocolate producer Callebaut. It is currently based in Zürich, Switzerland, and operates in over 30 countries worldwide.[7][8] It was created in its present form by Klaus Johann Jacobs.[9]

Its customers include multinational and national branded consumer goods manufacturers and artisanal users of chocolate (chocolatiers, pastry chefs, bakeries, and caterers).[10]

History

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Cacao Barry

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Cacao Barry was founded in Hardricourt, France, by Charles Barry, an Englishman with a passion for exploring Africa in 1842.[11][12] During Barry's travels to Africa he came in contact with cocoa beans, a major component in the production of chocolate. The company began producing chocolate in 1911.[13]

In 1952, Cacao Barry became active from bean to gourmet chocolate.[14] In 1992, the holding company Société Centrale d’Investissement (SCI) gained control of Cacao Barry, then transferred 49% of the company's capital to Compagnie Nationale à Portefeuille (CNP), an investment fund in financier Albert Frère's group. SCI's management approach favoured greater penetration of the UK market with the consequent opening of a new production site in the United Kingdom.[15] In 1994, shortly before the merger of 1996,[16] they launched the Pure Origine of Cacao Barry brand.

Callebaut

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Callebaut was a Belgian company, founded by Eugenius Callebaut as a brewery in Wieze, Belgium, in 1850.[17] The brewery began producing chocolate bars in 1911 and soon switched entirely to chocolate production. They began producing chocolate couverture in 1925.[18] In the 1950s, Callebaut, which was still a family-run business, began exporting its products to other European and North American markets, leveraging the fact that Belgian chocolate had earned an excellent reputation for its quality. In 1981, Interfood, a subsidiary of Tobler-Suchard, bought the company.[19] Bernard Callebaut, heir of the founding family, moved to Canada, where he opened a new chocolate factory named Chocolaterie Bernard Callebaut.[20] In 1983, Klaus Jacobs acquired full control of Interfood, the holding company that controlled Callebaut, and became an international confectionery leader. After a series of acquisitions in the industry, the company merged with the US company Kraft in 1987, creating Kraft Jacobs Suchard.[18] Klaus Jacobs retained Callebaut business.

Merger and IPO

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Chocolates made by Barry Callebaut

French chocolate company Cacao Barry and Belgian chocolate company Callebaut merged in 1996 to form Barry Callebaut.[21] In 1998, Barry Callebaut was listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange.[22] From a business standpoint, the new Franco-Belgian confectionery company continued to grow, with Jacobs Suchard assigning it the management of Van Houten, the Dutch chocolate and cocoa powder maker founded in 1815 in Amsterdam, which Jacobs Suchard had acquired in 1986.[18] Barry Callebout also expanded its range of products, launching new brands on the market, like Bensdorp (cocoa powder), The Barry and Callebaut (gourmet chocolate and cocoa-based products) and new lines under the Barry Callebaut brand for industrial use, including cocoa powder, cocoa butter, liqueur and chocolate.

In 1999, the company acquired the US-based confectionery company Van Leer Chocolate and, the following year, it acquired the Swiss Carma-Pfister AG.[18] That same year, Barry Callebaut gained access to the South American market when it bought the Brazilian company Chadler Industrial de Bahia.

In 2002, under the leadership of its new CEO, Patrick G. De Maeseneire, Barry Callebaut acquired the German company Stollwerck for $225 million, thereby taking over the 17 brands under its control, including Sarotti.[18]

The following year, it bought Brach's through the assumption of $16 million worth of debt. In 2004, it acquired AM Foods K/S, a company based in Denmark and specialised in croissanterie and chocolate. In 2007, Barry Callebaut signed an agreement with fellow Swiss brand Nestlé to buy its French site in Dijon, plants for the production of cocoa and liquid chocolate in bulk at the Italian site in San Sisto (Perugia), and to supply Nestlé with 43,000 tonnes of chocolate products per year in France, Italy and Russia.[23] Before the year was out, it had acquired FPI-Food Processing International in the United States and KL Kepong Cocoa Products Sdn Bhd in Port Klang Malaysia.[24] In 2009, Barry Callebaut bought the Spanish chocolate producer Chocovic S.A.[25] These international acquisitions took place in the space of a few years, leading CEO De Maeseneire to announce, "We did not want Barry Callebaut to be merely European, we wanted it to become a global company".[26] Two years later, the company decided to transfer the Stollwerck division to the Belgian Baronie Group, in turn controlled by the Sweet Group private equity firm, disposing of most of its retail operations in European markets.[27]

In 2017, Barry Callebaut acquired D’Orsogna Dolciaria, an Italian company based in Abruzzo and specialised in the production of amaretto biscuits, confectionery decorations and similar products.[28]

Ruby Chocolate

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In September 2017, the Swiss company launched a new type of chocolate, Ruby, named for its reddish pink color.[29] The pink hue is not created by adding artificial colouring or through chemical manipulation, but is the result of the color of the cocoa beans used to produce the chocolate, Ruby cocoa beans, cultivated in countries with specific climatic conditions, like Ecuador, Brazil and the Ivory Coast, and processed by Barry Callebaut.[30] Barry Callebaut presented what it calls "the fourth type of chocolate" at a private event held for industry experts in Shanghai, since the company sees China as a privileged market for its business.[29]

In January 2018, Nestlé Japan Ltd. launched a Ruby chocolate-based Ruby Sublime Kit Kat in Japan, becoming the first global brand to use the pink chocolate formula developed by Barry Callebaut.[31] The product was also launched in April of the same year in the UK, the first Western nation to test the pink Kit Kat created using Barry Callebaut's Ruby cocoa beans on a commercial scale.[32]

Acquisition and openings history

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  • 1999 Acquisition of Carma AG in Switzerland[18]
  • 2002 Acquisition of the Stollwerck Group in Germany[18]
  • 2003 Acquisition of Dutch Group Graverboom B.V. (including Luijckx B.V.)[18][33]
  • 2004 Acquisition of the vending mix business of ASM Foods in Sweden
  • 2004 Opening of a sales office in Tokyo, Japan[34]
  • 2005 Opening of a chocolate factory in California, U.S.
  • 2007 Opening of a chocolate factory in Chekhov (near Moscow), Russia[35]
  • 2007 Major outsourcing contracts with Nestlé, Hershey's and Cadbury[23]
  • 2007 Acquisition of a cocoa factory in Eddystone, Pennsylvania, U.S.
  • 2008 Opening of a chocolate factory in Suzhou (near Shanghai), China
  • 2008 Signing of the acquisition of chocolate production capacity from Morinaga & Company, Japan[36]
  • 2008 Opening of Chocolate Academies in Suzhou (China), Zundert (Netherlands), Mumbai (India), Chekhov (Russia) and Chicago (U.S.)
  • 2008 Acquisition of a 60% stake in KL-Kepong Cocoa Products Sdn Bhd in Malaysia[24]
  • 2008 Strategic partnership with Biolands of Tanzania
  • 2008 Sale of African consumer business
  • 2008 Opening of a specialty factory for frozen pastry in Alicante, Spain
  • 2009 Opening of a chocolate factory in Monterrey, Mexico[37]
  • 2009 Sale of Van Houten Singapur consumer business to Hershey's[38]
  • 2009 Acquisition of Danish vending mix company Eurogran
  • 2009 Acquisition of Spanish chocolate maker Chocovic, S.A.[25]
  • 2010 Opening of a chocolate factory in Extrema, Brazil
  • 2010 Signing of a long-term strategic partnership agreement with Kraft Foods Inc.[39]
  • 2011 Acquisition of remaining 40% stake in Barry Callebaut Malaysia Sdn Bhd, formerly KLK Cocoa
  • 2011 Expansion of the existing supply and innovation agreement with Hershey
  • 2011 Signing of long-term outsourcing agreement with Chocolates Turín, Mexico[40]
  • 2011 Sale of Stollwerck to Baronie Group
  • 2011 Joint venture with P.T. Comextra Majora to form P.T. Barry Callebaut Comextra Indonesia
  • 2012 Acquisition of la Morella nuts in Spain
  • 2012 Acquisition of Mona Lisa Food Products, Inc. in the U.S.[41]
  • 2012 Launch of "Cocoa Horizons" initiative based on strategic pillar "Sustainable Cocoa”
  • 2012 Purchasing Chatham facility from Batory Industries Company in Ontario (Canada)
  • 2012 Signing of long-term outsourcing/partnership agreements with Unilever, Grupo Bimbo (Mexico), and Morinaga (Japan)
  • 2013 Opening of a chocolate factory in Eskişehir, Turkey[35]
  • 2021 Opening of the largest chocolate distribution centre in Lokeren, Belgium[42]
  • 2022 Opening of a chocolate factory in Duran, Ecuador[citation needed]

In 2005, Barry Callebaut introduced a "healthy" chocolate product called ACTICOA, which contains higher levels of polyphenol antioxidants (cocoa flavanols) than any other chocolate; some evidence indicates these flavanols have particular health benefits.[43]

Criticism

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Deforestation

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On 13 September 2017 NGO Mighty Earth released a report[44] documenting findings that Barry Callebaut purchases cocoa grown illegally in national parks and other protected forests in the Ivory Coast.

The report accused Barry Callebaut of endangering the forest habitats of chimpanzees, elephants and other wildlife populations by purchasing cocoa linked to deforestation.[45][46][47] As a result of cocoa production, 7 of the 23 Ivorian protected areas have been almost entirely converted to cocoa.[48] Barry Callebaut was notified of the findings of Mighty Earth's investigation and did not deny that the company sourced its cocoa from protected areas in the Ivory Coast.

A follow-on report by Mighty Earth dated 7 December 2018 indicated little to no progress had been made in the year since Barry Callebaut and other signatories had committed to the Cocoa and Forests Initiative.[49]

Child slavery

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In 2021, Barry Callebaut was named in a class action lawsuit filed by eight former child slaves from Mali who alleged that the company aided and abetted their enslavement on cocoa plantations in Ivory Coast. The suit accused Barry Callebaut (along with Nestlé, Cargill, Mars, Incorporated, Olam International, The Hershey Company, and Mondelez International) of knowingly engaging in forced labor, and the plaintiffs sought damages for unjust enrichment, negligent supervision, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.[50]

Salmonella

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On June 27, 2022 Salmonella contamination was detected in a batch of chocolates at the Wieze, Belgium plant halting production. Production was resumed gradually after August 8, going back to full capacity by October 20, 2022[51][52][53]

Trading in Russia

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In January 2024 Barry Callebaut was added to the list of International Sponsors of War for continuing to operate 3 factories in Russia, and having their products used in dry rations of the Russian army.[54]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Barry Callebaut changes CEO and cuts sales guidance". Reuters. 5 April 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  2. ^ "Barry Callebaut confirms guidance after solid 9 months". Reuters. 11 July 2019. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  3. ^ "Annual report 2020/2021" (PDF). Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  4. ^ "Annual report 2023/2024" (PDF). Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  5. ^ "What Cocoa Traders Need to Know as West African Harvests Begin". Archived from the original on 4 October 2019. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  6. ^ "Annual report 2020/2021" (PDF). Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  7. ^ "Reuters: Barry Callebaut – Profile". Reuters. Retrieved 11 May 2017.
  8. ^ Withnall, Adam (29 May 2015). "World's largest chocolate manufacturer adds voice to warnings of 'potential cocoa shortage by 2020'". The Independent. Archived from the original on 1 July 2015. Retrieved 11 May 2017.
  9. ^ "Forbes: Chocolate King Jacobs Dies". Forbes. Retrieved 11 May 2017.
  10. ^ "List of Chocolate Manufacturers". icco.org. International Cocoa Organisation. Archived from the original on 3 March 2015. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  11. ^ "Inside Barry Callebaut: What's next after Ruby". 15 February 2019. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  12. ^ Sadler, J. Stephen (2018). Quest For The Best. Adriel Publishing.
  13. ^ Rogers, Stephen C. (2009). The supply-based advantage : how to link suppliers to your organization's corporate strategy. New York: AMACOM. p. 36. ISBN 9780814401880. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  14. ^ Martin, Pascal (2017). Il était une fois le cacao [Once upon a time there was cocoa] (in French). Fernand Lanore. ISBN 978-2851578280.
  15. ^ "ALBERT FRERE FOND SUR LE CHOCOLATE (CNP PURCHASES 49% OF SCI && ASSOCIES, OWNER OF THE BARRY AND VITAL SOGEVIANDES GROUP)". 2 July 1994. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
  16. ^ "Longtime executive Dirk Poelman retiring from Barry Callebaut". 6 June 2019. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  17. ^ "Barry Callebaut shapes its Forever Chocolate ambitions". Retrieved 17 August 2021.
  18. ^ a b c d e f g h Squicciarini, Mara P.; Swinnen, Johan F. M. (2016). The Economics of Chocolate. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-2851578280.
  19. ^ The economics of chocolate (First ed.). Oxford: OUP Oxford. 2016. p. 105. ISBN 9780191039904. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  20. ^ Pitts, Gordon (3 July 2011). "Ex-Chocolaterie Bernard Callebaut chief starts over with Papa Chocolat". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  21. ^ "Company history" (PDF). Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  22. ^ "Company history". Archived from the original on 28 June 2006. Retrieved 9 June 2014.
  23. ^ a b "Deal sees Barry Callebaut double existing business with Kraft". 8 September 2010. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  24. ^ a b "UPDATE 2-Barry Callebaut buys into Malaysia chocolate-maker". Reuters. 31 March 2008. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  25. ^ a b "Barry Callebaut to acquire Spanish chocolate maker". Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  26. ^ "Barry Callebaut AG History". Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  27. ^ "Barry Callebaut sells its European consumer business to the Belgian Sweet Products/Baronie Group". 11 July 2011. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  28. ^ "D'Orsogna Dolciaria: i dolci abruzzesi fanno gola agli svizzeri di Barry Callebaut" (in Italian). 20 July 2017. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  29. ^ a b Atkins, Ralph (5 September 2017). "Swiss confectioners devise fourth chocolate type: ruby". Financial Times Ltd. The Financial Times. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  30. ^ "Ruby: il nuovo tipo di cioccolato inventato dagli scienziati svizzeri" (in Italian). 7 September 2017. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  31. ^ McGee, Oona (18 January 2018). "New Japanese KitKat debuts world's first natural ruby chocolate". Sora News 24. SOCIO Corp. Retrieved 13 June 2022. The new "Ruby Sublime KitKat" is now ready to be released
  32. ^ "Ruby KITKAT: what the new pink chocolate bar actually tastes like". Independent.co.uk. 16 April 2018. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  33. ^ "Barry Callebaut to acquire chocolate group Luijckx" (PDF). Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  34. ^ "Barry Callebaut on solid financial ground". 3 July 2006. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  35. ^ a b "Barry Callebaut Opens its First Chocolate Factory in Turkey". Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  36. ^ "Barry Callebaut complete KLK acquisition". May 2008. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  37. ^ "Barry Callebaut Inaugurates Second Factory in Mexico". Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  38. ^ "Hershey acquires Van Houten from Barry Callebaut". Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  39. ^ "Barry Callebaut and Kraft-foods sign global supply agreement". Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  40. ^ "Barry Callebaut opens 48$m factory in Mexico". 30 June 2013. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  41. ^ "Barry Callebaut to Acquire American Chocolate Decorations Manufacturer". Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  42. ^ Clapson, Colin (21 October 2021). "World's biggest chocolate distribution centre opens in Lokeren". Vlaamse Radio -en Televisieomroeporganisatie (VRT). Retrieved 9 July 2022.
  43. ^ Patton, Dominique (30 November 2005). "Barry Callebaut chocolate could be good-for the brain". Nutra Ingredients. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
  44. ^ "Chocolate's Dark Secret". September 2017.
  45. ^ Covey, R. and McGraw, W. S. "Monkeys in a West African bushmeat market: implications for cercopithecid conservation in eastern Liberia." Tropical Conservation Science. 7.1 (2014): 115–125.
  46. ^ Marchesi, P., Marchesi, N., Fruth, B., and Boesch, C. "Census and Distribution of Chimpanzees in Cote D’Ivoire." PRIMATES. 36.4(1995): 591–607.
  47. ^ "Poaching contributes to forest elephant declines in Côte d’Ivoire, new numbers reveal." WWF. 5 September 2011.
  48. ^ Bitty, A. E., Gonedele, S. B., Koffi Bene, J.C., Kouass, P.Q.I and McGraw, W. S. "Cocoa farming and primate extirpation inside The Ivory Coast’s protected areas." Tropical Conservation Science. 8.1(2015): 95–113.
  49. ^ Reuters[dead link‍]
  50. ^ Balch, Oliver (12 February 2021). "Mars, Nestlé and Hershey to face child slavery lawsuit in US". Retrieved 13 February 2021.
  51. ^ "Salmonella halts production at world's biggest chocolate factory". the Guardian. Agence France-Presse. 1 July 2022. Retrieved 18 July 2022.
  52. ^ "Chocolate factory to restart production after salmonella scare, Barry Callebaut says". Reuters. 15 July 2022. Retrieved 18 July 2022.
  53. ^ "Barry Callebaut's Wieze chocolate factory back to normal capacity". www.barry-callebaut.com. 20 October 2022. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
  54. ^ "Top Swiss chocolate brand added to Ukraine's war sponsor list for operations in Russia". 18 January 2024.
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