I reproduce here two articles published by Oliver Nieburg in “confectionerynews.com”
Some days ago we learnt that Wrigley France is going to cut 207 jobs in the Biesheim factory. The production of pellets (dragées) will be transferred to another plant. The production of sticks and tabs (for France and for the European market) will remain. The company plans to build an “European Gum Base and Soft Gum Center of Excellence” in that French town located next to Strasburg and the German border.
Today the news are that Mondelez closes the factories in Lebanon and Morocco. It has not been announced which factories will absorb that production.While 105 employees are affected by the closure in Lebanon, the staff in Morocco (43) will be offered a position in other Kraft or Mondelez business units (beverage or biscuits).
Mondelez Lebanon and Morocco article
Both decisions originate from a slow sales performance in those areas. For instance, the production in Wrigley France dropped 33% since 2007. This is directly related to the economic situation in Europe.
Chewing Gum Consultant 