Helsinki / FI. (pg) The official opening of Paulig’s new tortilla factory is an important milestone in meeting the growing demand of Tex Mex products in Europe. The factory was built next to Paulig’s existing facilities in Roeselare, Belgium, and is the largest investment Paulig Group has made outside Finland. The factory produces tortillas for own brands, as well as for private labels, and will create more than 60 new jobs.
«This 45-million EUR investment facilitates future growth and strengthens our position as the market leader of the Tex Mex category in Europe. This category is growing rapidly in Europe and our new tortilla factory in Roeselare makes it possible for us to seize the opportunities that come with it. Our ambition is to double our European Tex Mex business and the new factory is the key. The factory also reinforces our innovation capabilities, enabling us to develop the category even further», says Rolf Ladau, CEO of Paulig.
In 2021, Paulig’s revenue was EUR 966 million with the Tex Mex business, amounting to slightly more than half of the total revenue. In addition to Tex Mex, Paulig is noted for its high-quality coffee, spices and snacks. Paulig’s products are sold in more than 70 markets globally.
The new tortilla factory has three production lines, enabling the production of both wheat- and gluten-free tortillas. More than 60 new jobs are expected to be created thanks to the new factory; these will mainly be for operators, technicians, team leaders and warehouse workers, including various positions to support growth in other departments.
«The city of Roeselare is very honoured by the confidence by Paulig to invest further in our city, known as Food Valley of Flanders. The high quality of its products, the sustainability approach and the enthusiasm of the future employees prove that the goals and the ambitions of Paulig and our city embrace and even strengthen our long existing partnership,» says Kris Declercq, Mayor of Roeselare.
Carbon neutral and modern factory
The new factory is Paulig’s eleventh and has achieved the «CarbonNeutral» building certification. This certification is provided by Climate Impact Partners to companies that show a commitment to sustainability by following The CarbonNeutral Protocol, the leading framework for carbon neutrality.
«The factory is equipped with the latest technology that helps us meet customer expectations, develop our product innovation and strengthen our sustainability proposition. Our customers value this and we are proud to offer them this at a location that is brilliant from a logistic point of view since it enables efficient logistics across Europe,» says Thomas Panteli, SVP Supply Chain + Sourcing at Paulig.
Paulig aims to become one of the fastest growing food and beverage companies in Europe and a sustainable frontrunner in the industry by 2030.
Paulig’s new tortilla factory in Roeselare, Belgium
- 45-million EUR investment
- 10,000 square metres in size
- 60 new jobs are expected to be created
- 14.5 metres high
- Three production lines for tortillas
- The Tex Mex factory and the new tortilla production plant are connected to Paulig’s high-bay warehouse via a 10-metre-long bridge, a solution that helps to avoid a lot of road transport.
- The combined Roeselare sites are the largest workplace within Paulig with more than 750 employees (Photos: Paulig Group).
