Dr. Oetker Romania Company, branch of the Germany-based Dr. Oetker, is building a factory in Curtea de Arges in a several million DM investment. The company is famous in Romania due to the Dr.Oetker pudding and the pastry additives: baking powder and vanillin sugar. The company officials would rather keep silent on the exact investment.
Dr. Oetker Romania produces and markets deserts (i.e. pudding, ice-cream powder), pastry additives (baking powder, vanillin sugar), additives for canned goods (Gelfix, Pikant fix), Vitalis mA1sli and Ristorante pizza.
The new production line will create 100 new jobs and the sales of the new factory in its first year will increase 20%. The frozen products and Vitalis mA1sli are imported and marketed by the Romanian company.
At the moment, the company has over 70 products available in Romania, 90% of which are made domestically. The first of these products, the vanillin sugar, was made in Romania in 1999.
Dr. Oetker came in Romania in 1998, when the German company bought Regal Corporation from Domnesti, Arges. Before 1998, Dr. Oetker products were sold on the Romanian market through importers.
Besides the foodstuffs division, the German Oetker group deals in other fields as well: alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, maritime transports, finance, banks and hotels. Its brands include: Clausthaler Beer, Radeberger Beer, Henkell Trocken champagne, FA1rst van Metternich champagne.
Dr. Oetker operates in 26 countries, employing more than 5,000 people. Its turnover reaches beyond DM2bn. The total Oetker Group's turnover amounts to some DM8.5bn.
The decision to invest in a new factory was made late last year because of space and productive capacity. The necessary piece of land was bought in Curtea de Arges last year and construction works started in November 2000. The new factory is structured on three levels, over 5,000 sqm. The technology is entirely German.
Dr. Oetker Romania, producer of Dr. Oetker deserts and pastry and canned goods additives, is the leading maker in this field, with more than 50% in market share.
Dr. Oetker's "profit is very low at the moment, which is only natural, considering the large investments. The share capital has been increased recently and we're in Romania to stay," the company representatives say.
"Our customers are women with medium to high income, as Dr. Oetker is a premium (high-quality) product company.
Our world is the kitchen: women over 25 years of age, with or without children, who like to bake cakes. Our products guarantee the success of any recipe, even though the person using them is not a fully-fledged chef."
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