The WaterBunkers group – which owns ‘Alardo’ and ‘Monchique’ water brands – has bought the Casa Grande Chocolate Factory (Fábrica de Chocolates Casa Grande) in Vila Nova de Famalicão in an investment of two million euros, which includes the acquisition and expansion of production capacity. “The acquisition of the Fábrica de Chocolates Casa Grande is strategic for the growth of WaterBunkers SGPS”, refered the Famalicão company in a press release being quoted by Lusa.
Cited in the statement, WaterBunkers’ manager said that the diversification of the group’s presence in the agri-food sector – namely through the entry into the chocolate sector – was a goal. “Our strategic objectives were – for some time now – to enter into the chocolate market, but we wanted to do it with a company whose position and manner of operation were in line with our vision”, stated Paula Nascimento.
According to the official, Casa Grande “brings together a set of ingredients that were fundamental for this decision”, namely the “differentiation, innovation and quality of human resources”. He also said that the investment of two million – already made and to be made “in the short term” – will be with the purpose of “continuing the work initiated by the management team of the Chocolate Factory, which was invited to maintain the functions, and focused on three strategic axes: the repositioning of the Casa Grande premium brand, the launch of the new ‘Not Guilty – The Right Way’ brand and the development of disruptive functional chocolates aligned with new food trends”.
