Yıldız Holding has announced that it is consolidating its global chocolate and biscuit operations under the single name Pladis, in a statement from the company on Sunday.
Yıldız Holding is known best for the Ülker brand of cookies, chocolates and biscuits that is very popular in Turkey. The company also bought the UK-based United Biscuits in 2014 and the chocolatier Godiva in 2007. All of the company’s products will be sold under the Pladis name with the exception of the Godiva retail market, the company said.
The company’s food branch employs 26,000 people in numerous countries, and brought in $8.2 billion in revenue last year, while Yıldız Holding employs around 50,000 people in total. It operates 77 factories in 14 countries.
“This year we are expecting to grow 10 percent, but from now on we are focusing on our main operation, biscuits, chocolate and candy, which we want to globalize. For this, we want to organize from the beginning. Our purpose is to unite our strength and our companies under one roof to become a leader in snacks,” CEO Murat Ülker said.
Last year, the company sold its beverage division to a Japanese firm for $110 million, citing the desire to focus on its biscuit, chocolate and snack operations.
Source: Today’s Zaman
Cécile Béliot has assumed the role of Bel Group chief executive officer, following the decision to separate the roles of chairman and CEO. The separation of the functions will enable Bel Group to develop in three areas of healthy snacking. Meanwhile, the company’s former CEO, Antoine Fiévet, has had his mandate renewed as chairman of the board.
US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf was grilled by lawmakers during a House Appropriations subcommittee hearing, where he was slammed over the agency’s handling of the escalating infant formula shortage.
Sweegen is ramping up its efforts to reduce sugar across F&B applications while simultaneously tapping into the benefits of using antioxidants and bitter blocking technology. Speaking to FoodIngredientsFirst, Casey McCormick, vice president of global innovation at Sweegen, says product developers can find a broad range of solutions in Sweegen’s nature-based sweetener systems as brands elevate better-for-you foods.
