GERMANY: Dr Oetker expands its operations | Progresiv
German manufacturer Dr Oetker is to launch new facilities in India and Serbia, according to press reports. 
The new Indian facility, which will be Dr Oetker’s largest site in India, will be in the northern state of Rajasthan. Originally an equal split between retail and foodservice production, the manufacturer has decided to focus more on production for retail customers. Production trials will start in April, with a full launch in June.
Oliver Mirza, MD of Dr Oetker's India arm, told Just-Food: "The initial plan - and also government approvals - was for a plant with 12,500-tonne capacity. At the end of 2011 we took a decision to strengthen the retail brand when we launched Dr. Oetker's Vitalis Muesli in India. In parallel we revised all plans and decided to build a bigger plant with 25,000-tonne capacity with a higher retail share. This meant more machinery for retail products. This also meant new factory approvals, pollution approvals, a new water balance with borewell approvals and a new consent to establish, which took some time."
In Europe, Dr Oetker is to open a new factory in Serbia, its first in the country. The facility is in Simanovci, near Belgrade in northern Serbia and has a yearly production capacity of 6,000 tonnes. Products produced in the new factory will include baking powder, vanilla sugar and doughnuts. (www.igd.com)
