Givaudan Eyeing Flavor Manufacturing Expansion in Hungary

The new Makó facility supports Givaudan’s global strategic initiatives to grow its business in fast-developing markets and grow its global leadership, particularly in savory flavors.

3/4/2011 --- Givaudan, the world’s leading flavor and fragrance company has celebrated the official foundation stone-laying for its planned EUR 130 million (CHF 170 million) European savory flavors manufacturing facility near Makó, Hungary. Givaudan also confirms that the factory is on track to be fully operational by the first quarter of 2013 as planned, creating an estimated 300 new directly-employed jobs in the Makó facility and engaging with several Hungarian suppliers to support its activities.

The new Makó facility supports Givaudan’s global strategic initiatives to grow its business in fast-developing markets and grow its global leadership, particularly in savory flavors. It is being marked by a foundation stone-laying ceremony conducted by Givaudan Hungary represented by Givaudan CEO, Mr. Gilles Andrier, Givaudan Flavors division President, Mr. Mauricio Graber and Givaudan Hungary MD, Mr John Pares in partnership with State Secretary, Dr. Zsolt Becsey; President of HITA (Hungarian Investment and Trade Agency), Mrs. Dobos Erzsébet; Swiss Ambassador to Hungary, His Excellency Mr Christian Mühlethaler; the Mayor of Makó, Dr. Péter Buzás.

The investment will equip Givaudan with a best-in-class savory manufacturing facility able to comply with stringent regulatory requirements. It will produce allergen-free, culinary flavor blends, seasonings and spray-dried flavors primarily for savory packaged foods. The Makó region has a rich heritage of food production and, with new infrastructure investment near to completion, is well-located to access the fast-growing markets of Central and Eastern Europe as well as Western Europe.

Gilles Andrier, Givaudan CEO said: “Today’s event is a significant milestone in the development of the Makó project and for Givaudan's savory manufacturing capacity and will ensure we remain the leading, global savory flavors partner to our customers. Once it is fully operating in 2013, this facility will become an expanded, pan-European savory manufacturing centre and part of an improved supply chain to support our growth strategy for developing markets.”

The Makó site was chosen with the help of the Ministry for National Economy, the Hungarian Investment Agency HITA and the Makó municipality. It has been developed with Hungarian partners HBM and Market and will continue to grow with the help of other local suppliers. The new factory will be fully operational in 2013.