Bel Puts Jaromericka Up for Sale

Jaromericka ranks among the top ten players in the Czech Republic's hard cheese market, processing 87 million liters of milk and producing 15,600 metric tons of cheese in 2009.

13 Apr 2010 --- The Bel Group has reported that the acquisition of Jaromericka in 2008 did not meet the sales and production goals initially anticipated. The recession in Europe and its impact on the local market left the Group with overcapacity in the Central European region. In response to those developments, and in line with the Group’s international strategy, Bel Eastern Europe moved to focus on its strong national brands Želetava, Smetanito and Matador, and its international brands The Laughing Cow, Leerdammer, Kiri and Babybel. As a result of that decision, the Group announced that it is selling its Jaromericka activity, including its local brands (Faun, Fénix…).

“We consider the offer to sell Jaromericka with its full production capacity to be the best solution for the two plants, their employees and suppliers,” said Pascal Bigot, General Manager of Bel Sýry Cesko. “The dedication and skills of our local teams, the excellent quality of the milk and the industrial investment already made will enable a new buyer to continue developing and growing the business. The anticipated transaction will not only preserve production and the jobs linked to it, but trade relations with the concerned milk producers as well.”

Jaromericka ranks among the top ten players in the Czech Republic's hard cheese market, processing 87 million liters of milk and producing 15,600 metric tons of cheese in 2009. The business, which employs a total of 275 persons, generated annual sales close to CZK1 billion (about €35 million) in 2009.

Bel will remain active in the Czech Republic through its Bel Sýry Cesko subsidiary, which operates a production site in Želetava.

The Bel Group, which employs 11,500 people, is a world leader in branded cheeses. Its brands are produced at 27 sites around the world and sold in some 120 countries via 30 subsidiaries.
In 2009, Bel Group realized sales of €2.2 billion.