Summary:
Belgian SME producing specific chocolates, such as artisanal, gourmet, fine, stevia, fair trade, low in sugar and organic, under its our own brand or white-label is looking to conclude manufacturing activities and trade intermediary services agremeents. The chocolates manufacturer is experienced and specialized in private label, new product development and creation of innovative products for recognizable international brands, food-service operations and demanding retailers in the grocery trade.
Description:
The Belgian SME is family business with a long tradition and experience in the Belgian artisanal fine chocolate production since 1964. It employs around 35 people and ensures its production through 3 sites. The company is recognized for its high quality products and premium services to its customers and partners.
The company produces more than 700 tons of chocolate a year in the form of bars, tablets, Neapolitans, mini bars, pralines, truffles, chocolate hearts, eggs, regular chocolate, organic & Fairtrade and no added sugar. The company offers different kinds of chocolates, tastes and flavors: Extra dark 77%, Coffee & milk, milk with min. 38% of cocoa, white, dark 66%, dark & coffee, crunchy caramel, praline, hazelnuts, raspberries, almonds, nougat, lemon… Chocolates are made with fair trade cocoa beans from Africa and South America.
The company offers two types of activities:
1. Production services to partners looking for private label and white label production services. In this activity, the SME works with partners from other brands on their personalized projects under subcontracting and manufacturing agreements. It meets the needs of its customers by offering tailor-made services to its partners. The added values of these services are: quality, proactivity, innovation and creativity. Company production tool makes it possible to produce the following products: tablets 85 gr / tablets 100gr, filled and solid sticks 45gr, filled and solid sticks 30gr, Neapolitans 5gr, traditional molded / non-molded pralines / Easter eggs / cherries liqueur chocolate and truffles.
2. working with intermediary partners for the distribution of its own brands under distribution agreements. Regarding this activity, the company offers 5 product lines: (1) a range of gourmet chocolates to accompany coffee: chocolate squares (5gr), mini tablets (9gr), chocolate bars (45gr), chocolate bars (85gr) (2) a range of traditional Belgian pralines (3) a range of chocolate by-products: cocoa powders, confectioneries, coated dried fruits, truffles, coated coffee beans, cocoa powder, chocomallows and spreads (4) a nutritional range with a reduced sugar content based on extracts from the stevia plant or no sugar added chocolate (5) a range of 4 organic & fair trade chocolate bars made from chocolates, fruits and seeds with eco-friendly and 100% biodegradable packaging (FSC cardboard packaging & biodegradable, recyclable and compostable foil).
Whether it be their own brands or their client’s Private Label, their chocolates are mainly distributed in the following sectors: delicatessen shops, duty free, catering and hospitality, nutrition specialty stores, roasters & enotheques, gourmet section of department stores, corporate gift stores, worldwide online chocolate sites, their own e-commerce site, lifestyle shops, concept stores, franchises and health food stores.
The firm also has a retail tea room store in Brussels where it offers and markets its range of chocolates to accompany coffee.
Packaging and displays availability are innovative and flexible depending on the product and partner needs. The company is very creative and resilient especially for holiday products and gifts (discovery boxes, metal boxes, craft packaging, forward calendar, etc.)
The company is really active and presents on trade fairs and annual business mettings.
Although it is present in more than 43 countries around the world, the company wishes to grow its activities and develop new products with new partners for long-term cooperation relating to its two activities.
Type (e.g. company, R&D institution…), field of industry and Role of Partner Sought:
The company is looking for:
- partners with chocolate products production line needs interested in acquiring the production in private label under manufacturing agreements
- distributor and wholesalers interested in a new brand to be included in their network.under distribution agreements. The company seeks reliable and professional partners with proven experience of B2B, B2C, Foodservices, Retail and hospitality dedicated to the chocolate sector and an established network for its own brands. Long-term cooperation and good knowledge of the local chocolate products market are mandatory for potential partners. The partner must have knowledge of his market and know precisely where to sell high quality products.
- In some markets, an agreement with commercial agents may be considered. It should be a company that can handle the importation of products and the sale.
Stage of Development:
Already on the market
Comments Regarding Stage of Development:
The company is the result of the merger between two independent Belgian companies specializing in chocolate. One was created over 20 years ago. The other was created in 1964. The merger dates back to 2012 but the company has benefited from expertise in the manufacture of chocolate since 1964.
Comments Regarding IPR Status:
Products distributed with the company's brand under a distribution agreement are protected by intellectual property. Regarding private label production, there are no particular specificities.
External code:
BOBE20210419001
