Godiva Chocolatier, United Biscuits, Ulker and DeMet’s Candy Company will together form a $5.2bn business positioning Pladis as a global leader in the category, said Yildiz as it announced the launch of the new company today (June 8).
Pladis has operations in 120 countries across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and the Americas, with 36 factories in 13 countries and employs 26,000 people.
The company will operate on a regional basis, with each region responsible for the manufacturing and commercial activities of the full Pladis brand portfolio. It will be led by CEO Cem Karakas and vice chairman Ali Ulker.
Significant growth ambitions
Yildiz has significant growth ambitions for Pladis, and is aiming to outperform the “category standard” year-on-year, said Karakas
“This is supported by our capital position and the strength of our manufacturing as one of only two companies in the world that produce such a broad range of biscuits and confectionery,” he added.
Karakas said consolidating the businesses would allow them to be more agile, enabling innovation and development of brand synergies.
The Pladis businesses
Godiva Chocolatier: a worldwide premium chocolate brand
United Biscuits: UK and European business producing brands including McVitie’s, Jacob’s, BN and Delacre
Ulker: the leading biscuits and confectionery brand in Turkey and Middle East
DeMet’s Candy Company: US manufacturer of Turtle’s nut clusters and Flipz pretzels
“These are already benefiting our business,” he added.
Named after constellation
Pladis is named after the Pleiades constellation, a group of seven stars visible from anywhere on Earth, said Yildiz.
“Establishing Pladis is the first step in realizing the long-term strategy of Yildiz Holding,” said Yildiz Holding chairman Murat Ulker.
“We are bringing together some of the world’s best loved brands and combining their 350 years of experience to form a new family company.”
In addition to biscuits and confectionery, Yildiz Holding operates in categories including edible fats and oils and frozen and canned food. The company has an annual a revenue of around $12bn.