Yildiz Holding unites key biscuit and confectionery businesses

Food group Yildiz Holding has united its core biscuit, chocolate, and confectionery businesses to form a new global company.

Pladis brings together Godiva Chocolatier, United Biscuits, Ulker and DeMet’s Candy Company. Together they form a $5.2 billion business, Yildiz said, positioning the new entity as a global leader in the confectionery and snacks categories.

With 36 factories in 13 countries, Pladis will employ 26,000 people and be led by a senior leadership team comprised of CEO Cem Karakas and vice-chairman Ali Ulker. The company will focus on innovation and quality and operate on a regional basis, with each region responsible for the manufacturing and commercial activities of the full Pladis brand portfolio.

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 CEO Cem Karakas added: “We have significant growth ambitions for Pladis with the aim to outperform the category standard year on year. This is supported by our capital position and the strength of our manufacturing as one of only two companies in the world that produce such a broad range of biscuits and confectionery. As one global family, we can be more agile, allowing us to innovate around our products and develop more brand synergies, which are already benefitting our business.”

Named after a constellation of seven stars visible from anywhere on earth, Pladis joins the elite group of companies under Yildiz Holding’s umbrella, each founded on the values and beliefs of the Ulker family that are today translated into the company’s commitments to its people, partners and communities. Internally, this is brought to life through Goal 21 – a roadmap helping to align a global workforce around the central idea that the company’s brands can bring happiness through its product ranges.

It is also hoped that Goal 21 will help realise the ambitious targets of the new global entity.