It was in 2010 that Poco Loco became part of Paulig, a Finnish family-owned group that comprises several food companies with more than 2,000 employees and a total annual turnover of €950 million. Poco Loco itself represents more than 700 of these employees and an annual turnover in excess of €267 million. In the wake of a recent investment in the red-and-white high-bay warehouse, Paulig is planning a further €45 million investment in an additional wraps production facility in Roeselare.

The aim of the investment is to consolidate the company’s position as the Tex Mex market leader in Europe, while boosting its innovation opportunities. Operating in 13 countries, Paulig currently has four Tex-Mex production facilities in Europe, two of them in Belgium. This third plant in Roeselare is to be built next to the existing production site and the high-bay warehouse in Pildersweg. If all goes according to plan, production should start at the new plant in the spring of 2022.

“This investment marks a milestone in the process for rolling out our international growth strategy, representing Paulig’s largest ever investment outside Finland, and is set to consolidate our position as the Tex Mex market leader in Europe,” says Rolf Ladau, Paulig’s CEO.

“The €45 million investment is very important for Poco Loco and for the Roeselare region, where we currently employ some 700 people. Many more jobs will be created thanks to this new plant, which will form part of our continuing investment strategy designed to underpin our status as a partner our customers can rely upon, while guaranteeing a continuity of supply for tortilla wraps in a growing market”, says Rogier Verkarre, Poco Loco’s Director.

Climate-responsive approach

As part of its aspiration to be a sustainable leader in the food and beverage industry, Paulig has set itself some very challenging climate targets. These objectives and the overall climate impact are reflected in the construction of the new plant, whose location in Roeselare helps to optimise the logistical process and its climate impact. Paulig is also exploring the opportunities for using renewable energy sources in the new production facility.

“As a food and beverage company, we have to live up to our climate and health-related responsibilities. The new facility will be a lot more energy efficient than the existing ones, so that the higher volumes will be achieved with the same level of energy consumption,” explains Rogier Verkarre.