ROMANIA: Alka started construction works at its new factory in Ploiesti | Progresiv
Alka producer of sweets and snacks started the construction works of the new factory in Ploiesti, a project worth over 11.5 million euros, the company announced. 
Finishing the factory where salted biscuits and snacks will be produced is scheduled for the first quarter of 2019. The production unit will provide over 80 new jobs in the first place.
"We have very large plans for the coming years, and the support of our partners and customers is the most important. We are delighted to have reached this stage and finally see how a factory is being built from scratch, a factory where production will be made at the highest standards of the industry", said Ady Hirsch, CEO of Alka Group.
The new production unit, which occupies a total area of over 10,000 square meters, is located in the Ploiesti Industrial Park. The factory will consist of a production hall, a warehouse of raw materials, a finished products warehouse, an administrative building, a local technical base, and a store with a terrace. The investment is an integrated chain - from the take-over of the main raw material to direct sales to consumers.
Out of the total investment of 11.5 million euros, 2,394 million euros is non-reimbursable public aid under the National Rural Development Program (NRDP), while the remainder comes from private co-financing together with Unicredit Bank.
In 2017, producer Alka registered a turnover of 173 million lei and now has more than 600 employees. The Alka Group was established in 1994 as a Greenfield investment, being at the time the first Romanian company to produce and distribute ground coffee packed and vacuumed in sachets. Since then, Alka has invested tens of millions of euros in technology and in the development of local production.
At present, the Alka Group portfolio includes brands such as Prajitura Casei, Alfers waffles, Toortitzi snacks, roasted and packed coffee under Stretto and Gold Mocca brands. The company is also the importer and distributor of Perfetti Van Melle products, as well as the Chupa Chups and Mentos brands.
