ETI launches construction works on new candy factory in Craiova, investment estimated at 40 mln euro

ETI, one of Turkey’s largest food manufacturers, will establish a production facility in Craiova which requires investment of about 40 million euro, according to Mediafax. Part of the investment, about 6 million euro, was granted by the Romanian state under a state aid scheme.

The factory will produce biscuits and cakes and it is expected to start operations in October 2015. About 300 new jobs will be created at the Craiova unit, which will be the first production facility abroad.

“We directed the investment to Romania given the good market conditions, the advantages in terms of regional positioning, logistics, economic stability. At the same time, as Craiova is located in the center of the region covered by our distribution network, we will optimize distances logistically and we will reach the consumers faster. We aim to become a regional and global brand. With this investment, we have made an important step towards achieving our goal”, stated Firuzhan Kanatlı, ETI’s President, as per a press release quoted by the newswire.

The company’s representatives said that they foresee a production of about 11,000 tons in the first year, candies which will be exported to 40 countries. Kanatlı, along with Hakan Polatoğlu, President of ETI’s Board, Osman Koray Ertaş, the Turkish Ambassador to Romania and representatives of local authorities – Lia-Olguta Vasilescu, Mayor of Craiova and Ion Prioteasa, President of Dolj County Council attended the ceremony celebrating the construction start, informs the mentioned source.

Founded in 1962, ETI currently operates seven production facilities which deliver many varieties of candies - about 300 products, under 45 brands – across the world.