Netherlands: Kraft-Heinz invests USD 50 million

Heinz invests in Elst in a fourth production line for ketchup, a new kitchen for mayonnaise, and an extension of the production line for the Horeca business. 255 people are currently employed in the factory in Elst, plus 70 via a temp agency. 30 new jobs will be created, for operators and service engineers. 
 
Roy van Loon, the site manager, talks about three huge projects, "of which the extension with a fourth production line for ketchup is the biggest. […] We invest in total 48.8 USD million, of which 36.5 million in the new ketchup line". This new line needs to go through test run-up in March 2019. 
Every year in Elst, 245.000 tonnes of ketchup and mayonnaise are sent out to 72 countries around the world. With the exception of North America, where Heinz local factories cover the needs. The American company sees room for extension of their capacity in Elst. "There is growth in ketchup, hence the fourth production line, but we also see space for growth in mayonnaise", says Van Loon. "We build a new kitchen for mayonnaise, a project of 4.8 million dollars." This new kitchen will be the first project to be ready and needs to be put into use next month.
"And then we work on expanding the catering line, with 7.5 million dollars. The catering line is used for the Horeca / hospitality business and produces buckets with mayonnaise and ketchup for the large users." The delivery of this large extension is planned for August 2019.

Source : gelderlander.nl