A total of 2,500 tons of chocolate are produced annually, or 300 bars per minute. 70 employees work in the plant.
The German chocolate manufacturer Ritter Sport will be producing vegan chocolate in addition to the “Amicelli” wafer rolls at its Austrian location in Breitenbrunn (Eisenstadt area). Ritter Sport took over the chocolate factory from Mars Austria last year. The first “Amicelli” sticks rolled off the production line in mid-January, explained plant manager Michael Bock at a press conference on Friday.
The factory was taken over last year, and Ritter Sport moved in on December 1st. The production facility was rebuilt, new machines purchased or brought from Germany. The “Amicelli” production in January was the first milestone, according to Bock.
Newly recruited
The former Mars employees were not taken on per se, they were newly recruited. The new “Amicelli” are already available in stores, recognizable by the imprint “New – sustainable cocoa”. “In three weeks we were above plan, we produced more than we had expected,” said Bock happily.
A rum bar is also being produced in Breitenbrunn and a vegan chocolate line is being set up. “Amicelli” and the rum bar would both sell steadily. The vegan series is modern and is produced exclusively here: “It has double-digit growth rates in the market, that's a future-proof thing.” A total of 2,500 tons of chocolate per year or 300 bars per minute are produced at the site.
Financial aid
Deputy Governor Astrid Eisenkopf (SPÖ) and the red club boss Robert Hergovich were delighted with the takeover of the company in Breitenbrunn. Both pointed to financial support – such as the hardship fund, participations or liabilities – from the country in the corona pandemic. Jobs could be secured, which shows that the economic aid is also arriving, said Eisenkopf.
These measures contributed to Burgenland “getting through the crisis better” than others, said Hergovich. In the districts of Eisenstadt and Neusiedl am See, however, the unemployment rate is currently higher because tourism is suffering from the corona crisis. In addition to the aid already provided for growth and employment, a further package is currently being put together with specific measures for companies and qualification programs.
