Click photo to enlarge
Tourists take pictures outside Cadbury World in cumberland
street. Photo ODT files
Cadbury has revealed plans to grow both its Cadbury World
tourist operation in Dunedin and the city's Chocolate Carnival.
However, whether the plans are implemented will depend on
American food giant Kraft Foods Inc, which has taken over the
185-year-old British chocolate maker.
Kraft achieved control yesterday when 71% of Cadbury
shareholders accepted Kraft's $26.9 billion bid at the end of
a long and hostile takeover battle.
Cadbury corporate communications manager Daniel Ellis was not
able to discuss Kraft's intentions in Dunedin, but outlined
plans Cadbury had drawn up in recent weeks to "help grow and
develop" Cadbury World and its Dunedin events into
"nationally recognised, first class attractions".
"We will increase our focus on promotions and events in
Dunedin and increase opportunities to nationally support both
Cadbury World and Chocolate Carnival while maintaining their
unique local Dunedin feel."
The first step in the Cadbury plan would be to bring the
management of Cadbury World and the Chocolate Carnival
together.
That would require one redundancy, with four jobs merged into
three.
Mr Ellis said Cadbury was planning "absolutely no more"
factory redundancies following the 145 jobs lost last year.
Last year, Cadbury spent $83,000 on the carnival and Mr Ellis
said "we're looking to spend that and some more".
"I'm not sure of the exact figure for this year, but our
point of view, prior to Kraft obviously, was that carnival
will continue and it's something that we see growing for
years to come.
"There were absolutely no plans on changing that but, having
said that, you would want to check with Kraft whether or not
that's consistent with where they are headed."
Kraft's head of corporate affairs Simon Talbot declined
Otago Daily Times requests yesterday to discuss the
future of its newly-acquired Dunedin chocolate factory.
An emailed statement from Mr Talbot described Kraft as "a
global powerhouse in snacks, confectionery and quick meals",
with consumers in more than 160 countries.
"As we warmly welcome Cadbury's people to our family, we're
excited about our phenomenal future together.
Hope Cadbury in Dunedin stays...
I was a Dunedin visitor from the US for 5 weeks. I fell in love with it and intend to relocate someday. I hope Cadbury will stay - it was the one of the best tourist visits I had while I was there.
Cadbury
I was horrified when the shareholders agreed to the sale of Cadbury, another piece of our English heritage gone to the Americans. I hope they keep things going forward.