Mondelēz International, one of the leading food companies in the world, has reached an agreement with Cerealto to continue the industrial activity in its biscuit factory located in Mem Martins (Sintra). The agreement contemplates a commitment towards maintaining all jobs, as well as the sale of all machinery and production lines, owned by Mondelēz International, to Cerealto.
Mondelēz, who has already informed the plant’s Workers Representatives about the deed of sale, negotiated this operation as the best possible solution for the 92 employees of the manufacturing facility, which closure was announced on November. On the other hand, Cerealto has undertaken the commitment of maintaining 100% of jobs and all current labour conditions of the plant, as well as to recognise the seniority of all workers.
Moreover, this operation, which does not include the transferring of any of Mondelēz property marks, establishes a co-manufacturing contract, through which Cerealto would manufacture some products for Mondelēz.
Both parties expect to close this transaction by July 2016. This way, Cerealto would take control over the factory, its production and workers starting on August 01, and would start incorporating its biscuits’ references progressively.
According to sources from Cerealto, this deal represents a milestone for the Company, as it is acquiring a manufacturing facility with a highly qualified team and with cutting edge technologies, from a leading food Company.
The acquisition of the Mem Martins factory responds to the international expansion strategy of Cerealto, becoming this one its second factory in Portugal, after the acquisition of the baby food manufacturing facility ‘Nutriceal Foods’ from Danone, which is located in Benavente.
Mondelēz recognises the workers representatives’ willingness to engage in dialogue, as well as their responsibility and respectful attitude towards making this agreement possible. Upon closing of the transaction, Mondelēz will preserve its commercial structure and logistics in Portugal, where it has 120 workers and is leader of the categories in which it operates. On a global scale, the company, with over 110,000 workers, is present in 165 countries marketing well-known brands such as Oreo, Milka, Trident and Philadelphia.
Cerealto is a food Company with a legacy of 25 years manufacturing cereal based products in a wide range of categories, including biscuits, breakfast cereals, baby food, bread, pastries, pasta, and gluten free products, among others.
Supported by 14 factories in Spain and a leading R&D Center in Europe, Cerealto has operation centers in Portugal, Italy, United Kingdom, Mexico and United States, through which it supplies its clients in over 40 countries.
Source: Cerealto
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