The Valora Group, the European retail unit of FEMSA (Fomento Económico Mexicano, S.A.B. de C.V.), underlines its position as world market leader in pretzel products. In November of this year, Valora subsidiary Ditsch will start production in a new, state-of-the-art bakery in Cincinnati, USA. In parallel, Ditsch is planning to expand capacity at its production sites in Germany to meet the strong growth in global demand for pretzel products.
The 105-year-old Bakery company Ditsch, which specialises in soft pretzel products, including the classic German pretzel and new innovations, such as ‘pretzel bites’ is investing in the US market. Global demand for pretzel bakery products has increased steadily in recent years and in this dynamic market, Ditsch has established itself as a global market leader.
New production site in the US
By opening a second, state-of-the-art bakery in Cincinnati, the Valora subsidiary is now strengthening its leading market position. With its approx. 70 million US dollars investment in the new facility, which will feature latest production technologies, Valora has established new growth opportunities. The bakery has enough capacity to triple the current pretzel bakery production over the medium term – a resounding investment in the future.
Capacity expansion in Germany
Demand for high-quality pretzel bakery products is also continuing to grow in the German market. To keep pace with this trend, Ditsch plans to expand capacity at the Oranienbaum bakery by the end of 2025. At the bakery in Mainz, buildings and production are gradually being optimized to meet rising market requirements. The Valora subsidiary is set to invest over 30 million US dollar in upgrading and expanding the capacity of its existing German facilities.
Deeply rooted, globally successful
Since its foundation in Mainz in 1919, Ditsch has grown from a small bakery into a global player. Today, the company supplies customers in 38 countries, sells over 900 million baked goods a year and operates four production facilities. In the last five years alone, Ditsch has created more than 280 new jobs in Germany and more than 80 in the US. The new plant in Cincinnati will create more than 150 new jobs over the next two years. Ditsch currently employs about 1,500 employees worldwide.
“Ditsch expertly combines tradition with innovativeness and has thus grown into the world market leader for pretzel bakery products,” stresses Michael Mueller, CEO of the Valora Group. “With our new, second plant in the US and the capacity expansions in Germany, we are laying the foundation for further growth.” Sebastian Gooding, CEO Food Service B2B of the Valora Group, adds: “With our strong teams, we deliver great tasting products, a strong and resilient supply chain and comprehensive food safety. We are delighted to be able to supply the US wholesale market even more comprehensively thanks to our new plant. At the same time, the capacity expansion in Germany will enable us to better meet the high demand.”
