Carambar & Co is a French confectionery group created around 2016–2017 when an investment consortium acquired a set of iconic brands from Mondelēz International and merged them under a single company. The group consolidates several well-known brands (Carambar, Kréma, La Pie qui Chante, Vichy Pastilles, Poulain, Suchard, and Terry’s) and centralizes most production in France. Its footprint includes multiple production sites across France and a reported turnover in the vicinity of several hundred million euros, with roughly about 1,300–1,400 employees depending on the source and year. The business emphasizes preserving classic brands while modernizing and expanding distribution, including new product lines and various packaging formats. Key points about Carambar & Co
- Origin and structure: Formed by the consolidation of legacy brands formerly owned by Mondelēz, later rebranded under Carambar & Co (often abbreviated as CPK). The arrangement grouped several iconic French confectionery names under one corporate umbrella to coordinate brand strategy and manufacturing.
- Brands and products: Core brands include Carambar, Kréma, La Pie qui Chante, Vichy Pastilles, Poulain, Suchard, and Terry’s, with production scaled to France and, in some cases, a focus on revamping packaging and introducing new formats.
- Production footprint: Production has been consolidated to French facilities, with multiple plants across Blois, Strasbourg, Vichy, Saint-Genest-d’Ambière, and other sites, reflecting the shift from prior dispersed manufacturing to centralized French production.
- Market position: Positioned as a major player in the French confectionery market, often described as a heavyweight thanks to its portfolio, workforce, and revenue scale. Reports commonly cite about 1,300–1,400 employees and turnover around €400 million.
- Corporate developments: The group has pursued growth through acquisitions (notably Lutti) and strategic manufacturing decisions, including plant closures when needed to optimize operations. For example, there have been announcements around shutting specific factory capacity to align with production strategy.
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