Capacity expansions and plant modernisations in several countries
The Freiberger Group, the world’s leading manufacturer of frozen pizza for private labels, has announced an ambitious growth strategy: The wholly owned
subsidiary of Südzucker AG plans to invest a three-digit million amount in expanding its production capacities, developing new markets and modernising existing sites.
“Pizza has long been one of the most popular ready meals, and demand is constantly increasing. To ensure that our customers can continue to rely on us in the future, we are expanding our capacities,” says Uta Kisser, Head of Corporate Communication at Freiberger Lebensmittel GmbH. This strategy includes, in particular, a complete focus on private label pizza from the entry-level to the premium-plus segment, which is being achieved, among other things, by restricting peripheral business. This focus can also be seen in the company’s brand new claim: With “Your pizza, slicely better”, Freiberger summarises its lead in terms of technologies, recipes, expertise and experience in the private label sector.
New frozen pizza factory in the UK, sharpening of profile in the USA
A new frozen pizza factory equipped with state-of-the-art stone oven technology is currently being built in the UK for British and international customers. Production will start there from March 2025. The pizzas will also be travelling to many of the 56 Commonwealth countries.
In the USA, Freiberger subsidiary Richelieu Foods divested its sauces and dressings division in July 2024 so that it can focus entirely on its core pizza business. Pizza consumption is also rising steadily in North America, which is why a new pizza line will go into operation next year.
Plant expansion in Berlin from autumn 2024
Following successful investments in the USA and the UK in recent years, Freiberger is currently concentrating on expanding and modernising its plants in continental Europe in order to strengthen its position here and secure its expansion into Eastern Europe.
Investments are being made in the logistics infrastructure and modern office space at the headquarters in Berlin-Reinickendorf. At the same time, the plant infrastructure is being modernised and accessibility is being brought up to date in order to significantly expand capacity here. Freiberger is currently working with architects and project planners on the redesign of the factory premises. Construction work will begin in the autumn and will be implemented step by step over the next few years.
“With our investments in the capital, we are not only expanding our capacities and strengthening our market position at one of the most important locations in Germany. We are also improving the working environment for our current and future employees and strengthening our cost leadership,” explains Dr Thorid Klantschitsch, CEO of the Freiberger Group. With its five sites in Berlin, Muggensturm, Osterweddingen, Burg and Oberhofen, Freiberger is one of the largest employers in the respective regions in Germany and Austria. “As a company with a long tradition, it is important to us to be an attractive employer and to make a sustainable contribution to local economic development,” says Dr Thorid Klantschitsch.
Growth in all areas
“We are pizza, and we are proud of our almost 50 years of expertise, which has led us to market leadership and long-standing, trusting partnerships with our customers and suppliers,” emphasises Thomas Schulz, CSO of the Freiberger Group. The company wants to continue to grow on this basis and be a pioneer in all areas. Freiberger is not only focussing on the quality of its products, innovations and the efficiency of its work processes, but is also making targeted investments in the area of sustainability, for example with more environmentally friendly packaging concepts. In addition, the global market is to be further developed and new sales channels added, for example in the food service sector.
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