The new firm included Yildiz Holding’s brands: United Biscuits, Godiva Chocolatier, Ulker and DeMet’s Candy Company. “Together they form a $US5.2bn business, positioning Pladis as a global leader in the category,” said Yildiz Holding.
Pladis will employ 26,000 people and operate 36 factories in 13 countries.
The business will be led by a senior leadership team, with ceo Cem Karakas at its helm. Ali Ulker will take the role of vice chairman focusing on innovation and quality.
The company will operate on a regional basis, with each region responsible for the manufacturing and commercial activities of the full Pladis brand portfolio.
‘The first step’
Yildiz Holding chairman Murat Ulker said: “Establishing Pladis is the first step in realising the long-term strategy of Yildiz Holding.
“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. We will be a global leader in biscuits and confectionery, and bring ‘bites of happiness’ to every corner of the world.”
Pladis constellation
- Godiva Chocolatier
- United Biscuits: McVitie’s
- Ulker: leading biscuits and confectionery brand in Turkey and Middle East
- DeMet’s Candy Company
36 factories in 13 countries
With 36 factories in 13 countries, Pladis will employ 26,000 people and be led by a senior leadership team comprised of Cem Karakas, ceo, and Ali Ulker, vice chairman focusing on innovation and quality.
The company will operate on a regional basis, with each region responsible for the manufacturing and commercial activities of the group’s brand portfolio.
The new business aimed to outperform the category standard year-on-year, said Karakas.
Its growth ambitions were supported by the group’s capital position and the strength of its manufacturing, “as one of only two companies in the world that produce such a broad range of biscuits and confectionery”, he said.
The new business was named after the ‘Pleiades’ constellation, a group of seven stars, said to be visible from anywhere on earth.
Meanwhile, Yildiz Holding owns more than 320 brands in over 40 different categories and employs 50,000 people.
In addition to biscuits and confectionery, the food giant operated in several other categories including: edible fats and oils and frozen and canned food.
It has a revenue of $12bn and operates 77 factories in 14 countries.
Pladis – at a glance
- Global biscuit and confectionery company
- Operations in 120 countries across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and the Americas
- Annual revenues of $5.2bn
- 36 factories in 13 countries
- Employs 26,000