Saiwa, Italian biscuit producer and subsidiary of French giant Danone, will turn its Alessandria, northern Italy, plant into a major high-tech unit for its European operations.


Yearly production capacity will increase from 22,000 tons to 47,000 tons, and the plant will complete production currently undertaken in France and Belgium. Saiwa will close its 250-worker factory near Milan.


The company’s annual sales are currently around €206m and Saiwa leads the Italian markets for dry biscuits (controlling 47%) and salty crackers (59%).


By Hilmi Toros, just-food.com correspondent