Artesana wants a second factory after seven years from launching the business | Progresiv

Dairy producer Artesana wants to build a new factory next year, with an investment amounting to more than 2 million euros, money most likely to come from bonds.

Artesana ended 2018 with a turnover of 2.8 million euros, up by 25% over the previous year. In volume terms, the company sold 3.4 million products, of which about 10% represents private label sales.

"The highest increases were reported in the sale of goat milk products, an average of 6 times more drinking yogurt and, on average, 2 times more jar yogurt, simple or probiotic yogurt versus cow milk. Also, the sales of cream have doubled, and for the rest of the articles we have had increases of 30-80%", says Alina Donici, founding partner of Artesana.

On the acidophilic side (yogurt, sour, kefir, sour cream), Artesana registered a 74% increase in volume (units sold) in 2018 as compared to 2017. Also, the company's management says that products that can be consumed "on the go" are growing more and more successful, namely drinking yogurt.

In the company portfolio there were also articles that did not perform and were excluded from the range to make production more efficient. "Skimmed yogurts have fallen by about 40%, and banana yogurt, although having constant sales was very low in volume compared to the rest of the products", Alina Donici pointed out.

Artesana business was launched seven years ago, with an initial investment of over 1 million euros, of which 250,000 euros were raised from European funds. Over the years, Alina and Daniel Donici have invested another million euros. Since its launch, the company's turnover has grown from 800,000 euros to 2.8 million euros, marking a 250% increase. The profit was also maintained at an average of 10% of the turnover.