Bonn confectioner is expanding Haribo planning to build huge plant in the U.S.
Bonn · Haribo, the confectionery company based in Bonn, is building a gummy bear factory in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. It will be one of the largest production facilities in the industry.
Haribo wants to build its first production site in the American midwestern city of Kenosha, Wisconsin. It indicated that this would be one of the largest confectionery manufacturing sites to be developed, from which the entire U.S. market could be supplied with gummy bears and other sweets. This means continued growth for Haribo in the U.S.
The Bonn concern had been searching for years for the right place to build a factory in the U.S. An agreement has now been reached on purchase of the property for the facility. “Haribo is the fastest growing confectionary company in the U.S., so it is important for us to start with our own production from 2020 onwards,” said Hans Guido Riegel, managing partner of the Haribo Group. Until now, the U.S. market has been supplied with sweets from European production sites, including the Bonn headquarters. The new construction in the U.S. will not reduce production in Europe, according to a company spokesperson.
In Wisconsin, officials are pleased that Haribo has chosen to come to their state. On CNN, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker said, “"Haribo is a great fit with the many other iconic companies that already call Wisconsin home," and he referred to the state's "business-friendly climate and strong fiscal management."
According to CNN, construction of the 500,000 square foot factory is expected to start next year. The Kenosha County plant will bring 400 jobs, said the governor and it is scheduled to open in 2020. Mark Maley, Public Affairs and Communications Director for Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, told CNN “We’re thrilled that a global company like this....chose Wisconsin.”
Orig. text: Delphine Sachsenröder, ck
