EUROPE international brand . The focus of the past few years was conquering new countries , now our focus is to solidify that presence to get a better foothold in order to thrive .
“ Overall business is solid , go to any big retail chain in Hungary or Poland and you will see our products properly displayed on the shelf . Other countries we have just entered ; for example in the UK we started doing business with Asda at Christmas .
“ The cost of cocoa has sky-rocketed and with the British pound getting stronger , it compounds the problem and remains one of our challenges . We source cocoa from the Altimarkas and Barry Callebauts of this world as we are still too small to have a direct link with the actual bean production , but we are looking to implement a more direct supply chain from Africa in the future .”
Heidi recognises that international expansion requires a more world-focused mind-set , but relationships such as the ones it has with Turkish hazelnut farmers and Moldovan walnut producers has already been in place for many years .
Investment in future The future development of the company is clearly more towards the export market . Central to this is the intention to retain a high percentage of hand craftsmanship for its chocolate product . Bespoke hollow figurines and personalised chocolate bars are tailored for retailers and consumers , and Del Fabbro claims this is something their mass producing , multinational competitors have more
“ The focus of the past few years was conquering new countries , now our focus is to solidify that presence to get a better foothold in order to thrive ”
– Franco del Fabbro , MD
www . heidi-chocolate . com / en 33