Kraft Foods said today (5 October) that the opening of a new R&D site in Switzerland to develop gum and candy products will “continue the momentum” the company is enjoying in the snacks category in Europe.
Earlier today, the US food giant unveiled a facility in the Swiss town of Eysins that will look to develop products under brands including Trident, Halls and Bassetts.
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The Eysins site was first conceived by Cadbury two years ago, before the UK confectioner was acquired by Kraft.
The facility becomes part of Kraft’s gum and candy R&D network, which is led by the company’s global “centre of excellence” in New Jersey.
A spokesperson for Kraft’s European division told just-food that the Eysins site will look to develop new packaging and new products that can be rolled out in Europe and that could be used in other markets worldwide.
The spokesperson said the facility had already developed a product that is set to go on sale in selected European markets including the Netherlands and France. Fresh & Clean gum contains flavoured powder and will be sold under “master brands” like Trident and Hollywood, she explained.
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By GlobalDataKraft describes itself as the “number one snacking company in Europe”, after the confectionery brands, Cadbury chocolate joined products like Oreo biscuits in the company’s portfolio following its takeover of the UK firm earlier this year.
The spokesperson said the Eysins site would help Kraft continue to grow that side of its business.
“We have leading positions in the markets that we operate in. The focus through all that we do in terms of investing in R&D is to continue the growth momentum that we’re looking to have in Europe,” the spokesperson said.
