Vasile Armenean, owner of Betty Ice, one of the largest ice cream producers on the market, has revealed that he plans to export products from the Suceava-based plant to several countries in the region.
"Within the next ten years, I envisage our business will witness a regional expansion; both towards the east and towards the west. The first step could take place next year," says Vasile Armenean. According to the owner, investments will continue at the ice cream plant in Suceava, with a view to boosting production capacities. Currently, the plant can produce approximately 100 tonnes of ice cream each day.
"Development plans include doubling the plant's capacity by building a new production facility on the same location, which will start in 2009. The plant was designed from the outset to allow expansion to take place," says Armenean. The Betty Ice production facility, built between 2003 and 2006, covers 6,500 square metres and employs over 300 people during the summer.
Investments in Betty Ice are expected to reach over 30 million euros by next year, after the company completes a 5 million-euro investment in a new production line.
The producer estimates sales in excess of 15 million euros this year, up by 35-40% against 2006. According to last year's financial data, Betty Ice is the second largest player on the ice cream market, after Nestl? Ice Cream Romania, and just ahead of Alpin Lux, another domestic producer.
"The market is very competitive. If we look at what has happened so far - large international players, Unilever (with Algida), Nestl? (with Scholler) and Masterfoods (with Mars) have gradually left the market, because they did not expect such heavy competition. A portion of these brands are now only present through independent importers in Romania," adds Armenean.
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