Mondelez International to set up cookie production facility in Mexico

US food and beverage firm Mondelez International has announced plans to construct a new cookie production facility in Interpuerto Technology Park in Monterrey, Mexico, with an investment of $600m.

The new facility will strengthen the company’s presence in the country and allow it to develop manufacturing processes and achieve world-class productivity.

The facility, which will feature five production lines and state-of-the-art technology, is expected to commence operations in mid 2014, creating about 1,200 new jobs.

Mondelez stated that the aim will be to generate growth as well as develop new products, formats and packaging, among other innovations.

Mondelez International Latin America vice president Gustavo Abelenda Divola said that the construction of the new facility, which will be the company’s largest cookie plant, demonstrates the company’s long-term partnership with Mexico.

"This manufacturing facility reflects our confidence in the future of the country; we want to continue to contribute to its growth, providing investment and creating jobs, because like all of you, we at International Mondelez believe that this is possible," Divola added.

This project follows a series of recent investments by confectionery firms – earlier this week, Swiss company Barry Callebaut opened its expanded chocolate manufacturing facility in Toluca; Italian confectioner Ferrero is establishing its first chocolate production facility in Guanauato; and Hershey is planning to reinforce its cocoa operations in the country.

Mondelez International, which was formerly known as Kraft Foods, offers chocolate, biscuits, gum, candy, coffee and powdered beverages under brands such as Cadbury, Milka chocolate, Nabisco, Oreo biscuits, and Trident gum.

In October 2012, Kraft Foods spun off its snacks and confections business to a new company called Mondelez International and its North American grocery business into a new company called Kraft Foods.