Caroli Foods, one of the top three charcuterie producers in Romania, last year saw their turnover rise by 40%, to 62 million euros.
Last year''s solid turnover growth was due to the raised production capacities and nationwide distribution. "Our brands got to be better known among consumers last year, which pushed our market share to 12%. Moreover, starting last year we also achieved nationwide coverage," Talal El Solh, Caroli Foods chairman, commented for ZF.
El Solh also foresees turnover growing by 55%, which would take Caroli group deals to around 96 million euros. Over the last two years, the company''s growth has gone beyond 40%.
This month, Caroli Foods started building a manufacturing plant for raw-dried products, with an investment of 4 million euros. The plant, the second one within the group, is located in Pitesti and will manufacture 200 tonnes of charcuterie per month. The new production centre, with an area of 7,000 square metres, will become operational late this year and will create 150 jobs.
"People are seeking new products, more sophisticated ones, and the segment of raw charcuterie is in full expansion on the domestic market. Moreover, it also allows for exports to be made to the European Union," specified El Solh.
According to research by the group, of all charcuterie categories, salamis register the highest sales volume then followed by sausages and frankfurters. These categories account for around 80% of the total market volume, research done by Caroli group shows.
The construction of the raw-dried products plant covers only 40% of the investment budget the company earmarked for this year. The company will pour about 6 million euros to boost the production capacities of the existing plant, placed in the same location, Pitesti, as well as to improve the IT, logistics and marketing systems.
Beginning 2005, Caroli group has strengthened its investment policy, allotting more than 6 million euros for the modernisation and retooling of the plant it owns in Pitesti.
At present, the plant has a daily production capacity of 80 tonnes of charcuterie and in the wake of this year''s investments will reach a capacity of more than 200 tonnes daily by the end of 2006.
The value of investments the group has targeted so far at its Pitesti production facilities has topped 13 million euros.
Caroli Foods group owns three distinct brands: Caroli (on the medium segment), Gourmet (on the top segment) and Familia (on the lower market segment). These include over 150 products, of which 41 were launched in 2005. According to the company''s representatives, Caroli brand accounts for 70-80% in annual sales.
In December 2003, Caroli enriched its product portfolio by acquiring Gourmet brand.
Pentru alte știri, analize, articole și informații din business în timp real urmărește Ziarul Financiar pe WhatsApp Channels
