With $50m ultra-modern plant, Cadbury targets world-class supply chain
Cadbury Nigeria plc has officially commissioned its over $50 million (N10 billion) ultra-modern manufacturing plant to boost production capacity by nearly 37 percent and meet the surging demand for Bournvita and other products.
The plant is in line with the firm’s global target and effort to build a world-class supply chain. Cadbury is a subsidiary of Mondelēz International and it expects this plant to help bring to life its global strategy to protect the well-being of the planet through the design and operation of facilities that minimise environmental footprint.
“This plant – with state-of-the-art technology — is an important example of our important example of our global effort to build a world-class supply chain,” said Daniel Myers, executive vice president, ISC Global,Mondelēz International.
Cadbury is involved in Nigeria’s cocoa value chain as it creates value on cocoa by using same to produce the sought-after Bournvita. The firm also makes Tom Tom, Tang and other confectioneries.
“As the world’s leading chocolate, biscuits, powdered beverages, gum and candy maker – a global snacking powerhouse – we are committed to making high-quality products that bring delicious moments of joy to millions of people, all within a balanced diet and an active lifestyle,” Myers said.
He described the plant as a major new phase in the firm’s manufacturing capability in Nigeria, adding that the plant is one of the largest investments by Mondelēz International in Africa in the last two years.
He further said that the plant is highly automated and replaces an older facility which could not support the firm’s necessary expansion plans within the old plant’s
footprint.
“Today, the Ikeja plant is the latest example of our broader investment efforts across Africa, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe. In fact, Bournvita – the flagship brand of our Ikeja plant — is celebrating its 50th birthday this year –I cannot think of a better way to celebrate this brand anniversary than with the opening of new plant,” he said.
Roy Naaman, chief executive officer, Cadbury, said it was another great day in the history the company and the event represented another milestone in the firm’s pursuit of its global effort to build a world-class supply chain.
“Our investment in this plant reflects the company’s confidence in the fundamentals of the Nigerian economy and commitment to the development of Lagos State as our host community,” Naaman said.
“It is this level of support from the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Lagos State Government and the availability of a talented workforce that led to our decision to build this state-of-the-art plant,” he said.