Givaudan opens new production facility in Hungary

Givaudan, the world's leading fragrance and flavour company, today formally opened its new best-in-class, manufacturing facility dedicated to savoury flavours in Makó, Hungary.

Local dignitaries including Péter Szijjártó State Secretary for Foreign Trade, Hungary and Dr. Péter Buzás, Mayor of Makó, Hungary joined Givaudan's Chairman, Jürg Witmer, CEO Gilles Andrier and Flavours President, Mauricio Graber for the facility's ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Designed to serve its customers more efficiently in the Europe, Africa and Middle East (EAME) region, the €130 million (CHF 170 million), best-in-class facility already employs over 200 staff and will have a total capacity of 40,000 tonnes. Commercial production, including of certified Kosher, Halal, and allergen-free flavours, will start in the coming months, progressively building up until the factory is fully operational by end 2013.

The site was chosen with the assistance of Hungary's Ministry for the National Economy, the Hungarian Investment Agency and the city of Makó itself.

Gilles Andrier, CEO, Givaudan who spoke at the ceremony said: “This new factory is the largest greenfield investment we have ever made and an important part of our growth strategy. This new site will strengthen our supply chain, enabling us to continue to expand our developing-market footprint and capture growth opportunities in culinary and snacks segments. The size and greater automation in material handling and compounding of the new Makó facility will help us meet customers' needs as the scale and complexity of the savoury and snacks market continues to grow.”

The savoury segment represents approximately 33% of the flavour market potential in the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EAME) region with Givaudan owning the broadest savoury portfolio range across all key product applications and flavour profiles. In 2011, the savoury segment represented 35% of global sales in the Flavour Division.


Notes to editors
Givaudan is market leader in the global fragrance and flavour industry. Its head office is in Switzerland. Its heritage dates back to 1796, making it the first company to establish itself as a creator of tastes and scents. In 2011, the company achieved sales of CHF 3.9 billion with a work force of more than 8,900 employees and subsidiaries and branches in over 40 countries.

Givaudan Flavours is a trusted partner to the world's leading food and beverage companies, combining its global expertise in sensory understanding and analysis and consumer-led innovation in support of unique product applications and new market opportunities. From concept to store shelves and quick serve restaurants, Givaudan works with food and beverage manufacturers to develop flavours and tastes for market leading products across five continents.


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Kate Clough, College Hill
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