Leonidas opens its new 100 million euros praline factory in Nivelles

Résumé détaillé

Praline maker Leonidas officially opened its new factory on Thursday in an industrial zone in Nivelles, in Walloon Brabant. Thanks to an investment of around 100 million euros, production, the head office, offices, research department and warehouses are now all located on one site covering approximately 30,000 square metres.

The factory has relocated from Anderlecht. Nivelles is Leonidas's only production site worldwide. Belgium's largest chocolatier sells its pralines through 1,225 outlets in 40 countries. Leonidas produces around 6,000 tonnes of chocolate a year, half of which it exports.

The factory has eleven production lines: eight industrial and three artisanal. Six lines were moved from the old Brussels factory, while five are new. With the new factory, Leonidas aims to keep growing, increase production capacity, and develop new ranges and product formats.

"We know that the year of a relocation is a transitional year, but we want to grow. We open 30 to 40 outlets a year. We want to consolidate our strong markets and win new ones. We are constantly developing new products," says CEO Philippe de Selliers.

Leonidas had unsuccessfully searched for a site in the Brussels area, hoping to retain its Brussels-based staff and their expertise. "In the end, 100 per cent of our people came with us, and we are very proud of that," says Philippe de Selliers.

Leonidas has also built an 'Experience Centre' and a chocolate museum at the new site. The visitor centre targets schools, and Leonidas hopes to attract visitors to the sector. The chocolate industry employs around 1,400 people in Belgium and faces a persistent shortage of approximately 800 workers.

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