Lindt USA Continues Expansion With Unveiling of New State-of-the-Art Cocoa Liquor Facility

STRATHAM, N.H., June 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Lindt & Sprungli, the world's leading producer of premium chocolate, today unveils a new state-of-the-art bean roasting facility at its U.S. headquarters in Stratham, N.H.  The new 40,000-square foot, multi-million dollar cocoa liquor plant provides Lindt USA with the capability to clean, roast and grind cocoa beans, and ultimately to create cocoa liquor, a key component in the chocolate production process.  

The expansion allows Lindt USA to control the entire chocolate production process, from bean to finished product, at the Lindt USA manufacturing facility - a major reason why all Lindt premium chocolate is of exceptional quality. This level of control is something few chocolate manufacturers in the world have the ability to do, and ensures that with Lindt, consumers experience the ultimate chocolate taste, made from the finest ingredients.

A leader in the premium chocolate category, Lindt achieved the fastest growth of all chocolate brands in the U.S. market in 2009, along with substantial gains in market share.  The new roasting facility is the latest development of Lindt USA's ongoing expansion efforts, which includes the addition of 350,000-square feet of production, packaging and distribution facility space over the last four years.  

"Lindt's major investment in the U.S. production facility reinforces our commitment to the highest quality standards and our desire to accommodate the growing consumer demand for premium chocolate," said Ernst Tanner, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Swiss-based Lindt & Sprungli Group.  "The U.S. cocoa liquor plant is another example of Lindt's ongoing passion for producing the most premium chocolate made from the finest ingredients."

Bean roasting is an integral part in developing the final flavor of premium chocolate, and Lindt always controls this process, whether in the new U.S. cocoa liquor plant, or in other Lindt manufacturing plants around the world.  The expanded Lindt USA facility now makes chocolate from bean to finished product for the United States, Canada, Mexico, England and Australia using Lindt's 165-year-old Swiss recipes and quality standards.  To commemorate the facility expansion, Governor John Lynch and the Stratham Board of Selectmen both declared June 16 as Lindt Chocolate Day in the state of New Hampshire and in the town of Stratham, N.H.

Lindt is one of few chocolate manufacturers in the world that controls all aspects of the chocolate-making process, starting with the careful selection of the finest cocoa varieties, to the careful and expert processing, and ultimately with the elegant packaging.  All Lindt Chocolate products reflect a deep passion for craftsmanship, innovation and high-quality ingredients, including:

• Selection of the finest ingredients - Lindt only uses the best quality cocoa beans and is one of the main purchasers of finest grade cocoa, Criollo and Trinitario beans, which are the rarest and most flavorful beans.  Lindt controls every step of bean processing, beginning with the roasting process and combining the beans with the highest-quality ingredients, ensuring pure, delicious chocolate flavors
• Sophisticated refinement - Lindt employs proprietary processes and state-of-the-art production facilities to deliver exceptional chocolate products.  In fact, in 1879, pioneer Rodolphe Lindt set a memorable milestone in Swiss chocolate history by inventing the conching process, which refines chocolate to reveal the ultimate texture, smell and taste.
• Chocolate expertise - For more than 165 years, Lindt Master Chocolatiers have utilized years of experience and extensive training to create premium chocolate of the highest quality.  Lindt's recipes are unmatched in quality, innovation and taste
• Innovation - Innovation is at the core of Lindt's heritage and Lindt Master Chocolatiers spend years perfecting each new recipe and product.  Lindt is passionate about creating new and exquisite chocolate creations that lead to the ultimate chocolate experience

Lindt offers a wide variety of premium chocolate, including gourmet bars in the delicious Excellence Collection, ultimately smooth-melting Lindor Truffles, and delicious seasonal and boxed chocolate assortments.  For more information, please visit www.lindt.com.

About Lindt & Sprungli

Founded in 1845, Lindt & Sprungli is a global leader in the premium chocolate category, offering high-quality products in more than 100 countries.  Lindt & Sprungli operates eight production facilities in Europe and the United States and employs 7,400 worldwide.  Lindt USA operates more than 40 retail stores in the U.S. and maintains wide distribution through extensive retail and wholesale channels.  For more information on Lindt, visit www.lindt.com.

SOURCE Lindt & Sprungli