Zakłady Przemysłu Cukierniczego Bałtyk, known as a chocolate maker ‘Bałtyk’, is moving its Gdańsk-based production plant to Włocławek. It will enable the company to develop further, and to increase the scale of production. The plot of land located on Droszyńskiego Street was purchased from ‘Bałtyk’ by Torus. The developer intends to establish its multi-functional investment on the post-factory ground. The chocolate-maker plans to leave its administration department in Gdańsk, along with its company store.
Sweets from Poland appreciated abroad
‘Bałtyk’ is famous for its production of chocolates and sweets of all kinds, with a dozen or so product groups now included in the company’s offer. Liqueurs remain some of the most recognizable ones – sweets with alcohol-based stuffing, whose tradition and manufacturing technology date back to the 1950s. A hit in recent years has been the reactivation of the production of selected products, known and loved decades ago. This is how famous chocolate bars ‘Malajska’ returned to the market – a milk chocolate with coconut sprinkle, alongside ‘Ratuszowa’ chocolates, which are made according to original recipes, sold with a specially designed label which resembles the one from the early 1970s. In the company’s plants located in Włocławek and Gdańsk, more than 7,000 tonnes worth of products are made annually. The production output grows from year to year, with the company attracting new clients both domestically, as well as abroad. Currently, the company exports its confectionery to more than fifty countries around the world. ‘Bałtyk’ is committed to quality and product uniqueness, thanks to which it has been among the best companies in the confectionery industry for decades.
Need for greater space
The company intends to shut down production in Gdańsk in spring 2023. The process of moving its operations to Włocławek will be initiated as early as this year, and will be conducted in a manner that will guarantee the uninterrupted continuity of the production process. The company considers it not only a move, but above all, a significant investment in development. In Włocławek, a new production hall has already been erected which is to house chocolate technological production lines. Consequently, with the opening of consecutive production lines in Włocławek, the manufacturing in Gdańsk will gradually close down. The process will be linked with modernisation efforts, and with the implementation of novel solutions which will guarantee work comfort, and a significant increase of production capabilities.
- If we want to continue developing the brand of ‘Bałtyk’ as a Polish, domestic producer of confectionery, we need to optimise processes, and design a long-term development strategy. At the present location, there is no extra room for expansion or modernisation of production lines. Moreover, in the district where our plant is located, a new residential and commercial housing is emerging. We are aware that the presence of a large factory in the neighbourhood might be considered an inconvenience, particularly that we operate around the clock, with long vehicles having to provide transportation on narrow streets of Oliwa and Przymorze. The expansion of the plant in this very location would be extremely difficult and cost-intensive, to the extent that it could undermine its profitability, not to mention the difficulties caused for residents, and arising logistical problems. In the present circumstances, with the ever-increasing prices of raw materials, energy, and logistics, we cannot afford it. We want to introduce ‘Bałtyk’ into the new century of market existence in the best condition possible, and create prospects for further development, for future generations. That is why, we are moving our production facilities to the new plant in Włocławek, where we have virtually limitless opportunities for increasing the production capacity. We will leave the administration department in Gdańsk, where our roots are. We are also making efforts to keep our company store in the present location – says Konrad Mickiewicz, CEO of Zakłady Przemysłu Cukierniczego Bałtyk.
The new is coming, with district and residents in mind
The ground, on which Bałtyk will continue its operations until next year, was purchased by Torus, a developer company, which has recently erected an office building, Format, next door.
– We know the neighbourhood very well. This year, we have commissioned Format into use, while a few years back, we erected Arkońska Business Park and Hotel Arkon Park in close vicinity. Once we heard about a plan of moving Bałtyk’s production facilities, and a possibility of purchasing respective ground, a certain vision was born as how to seize the potential of this place through the creation of something exceptional which will respond to the assumptions of a modern city. We already know it is going to be a multi-functional compound. At present, we are closely exploring and analysing the needs and functions which will well harmonize with the character of the district and neighbouring housing. We also want to take advantage of the vicinity of Format, and the planned construction of a footbridge that is to shorten the commute to the SKM/PKP Gdańsk Oliwa train station, while forming a new traffic route – says Sławomir Gajewski, Torus CEO.
For years, Torus has been concentrating its investment activity along the main thoroughfare of the Tricity. These are locations that are expertly served by public transport, taking optimal advantage of respective logistical potential. The company pays close attention to the development of cycling infrastructure within its investments. It is also known for its quality-based approach to construction, while employing proecological solutions, and certificating its buildings. The plot purchased from ‘Bałtyk’ will serve as another example of a Torus-led revitalisation process of post-industrial areas in Gdańsk (Alchemia and Format completed, DOKI Office underway), the areas which will be assigned a new, urban function.
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100-year-long history in piece of chocolate
The history of ‘Bałtyk’ dates back to 1923. The beginnings of the company coincide with the times of Wolne Miasto Gdańsk, in which plants of Anglas, Kosma, and Baltic were built. After the tragic events of the WWII, in 1951, these pre-war factories were merged, with Zakłady Przemysłu Cukierniczego having been established. The company became one of the best-known Polish producers of confectionery. At the beginnings of the 1990s, the plant was taken over by a Scandinavian concern which broke away from the traditional name and recipes. However, in 2005, the foreign investor withdrew from Gdańsk. Consequently, a production plant in Wrzeszcz closed down, with Facility no. 1 on Droszyńskiego Street in Gdańsk being the last one to survive. It was bought back by Polish investors in 2005, who restored the historic name of ‘Bałtyk’, returned to the traditional recipes and products, and also launched the production of new confectionery lines. The new owners, based entirely on the Polish capital, began the restoration actions of the brand. They developed the company by integrating the Gdańsk-based plant with modern production facilities located in Włocławek, while investing in innovative technologies, increasing export, and effectively competing with the largest foreign corporations.
Baltic curiosities
‘Bałtyk’ is a brand known not just in Poland, but worldwide alike, as evidenced by the large share of exports. Almost half of the production output is shipped to foreign markets, most often to the European countries, but to Africa and Asia as well. Within various projects, the products were exported to the most remote locations in the world – the sweets were consumed by Polish polar explorers in Spitsbergen, by travellers, and also volunteers when helping children in Africa.
The company successfully responds to the ever-changing trends and consumer behaviours. Its offer embraces non-gluten, vegan, protein, and energy-inducing products, as well as sweets containing magnesium and vitamins, with occasional products appearing too.
‘Bałtyk’ is one of the main characters of a book – ‘Słodkie historie Gdańska’, in which confectionery production traditions in the region were described. The company is also a laureate of consumer popularity contests, engages in pro-social activities, supports local events and campaigns aimed at the promotion of Polish entrepreneurship. It is also known for unique gift editions, within which one can find pralines in packagings that display paintings by Magda Beneda, a Gdańsk artist – ‘Popatrz na Gdańsk’ and ‘Zachwyć się Trójmiastem’. The company has also released a special edition of ‘Gdańsk sweets’, which serve as a sweet showcase of this city, and alongside Gdańsk University of Technology, it developed a unique recipe, and launched a limited edition of jellied – ‘Jantarki’, with natural antioxidant properties.
