“Orkla” will integrate several businesses in Latvia

LATVIA - “Orkla” will strengthen its positions in the Latvian market by integrating “Orkla Foods Latvija” and “Orkla Confectionery & Snacks Latvija” into one leading FMCG organization. The name of the new organization will be “Orkla Latvija”. The companies will start to operate as one organization from the second half of the year.

“Orkla Confectionery & Snacks Latvija” and “Orkla Foods Latvija” both are successful in their operations, and the integration into one organization will help to become more stronger in order to strengthen position in a highly competitive market.

The integration process has started by appointing one management team of the new organization. Toms Didrihsons is appointed as the new CEO of “Orkla Latvija”, who has over 15 years of experience within “Orkla” companies in Latvia. Until now he was CEO of “Orkla Confectionery & Snacks Latvija”, and previously he has held various positions in “Orkla Foods Latvija”. The new management team will start to operate from 29 March 2019.

“I am very pleased with this powerful and logical step towards growth. “Orkla” is an expert in local brand development and by integrating the two companies we are creating strong platform for the future growth. We will become a leader in the FMCG industry in Latvia with a diverse assortment, creating new and innovative top-quality products. Integration will enable us to work more efficiently, while providing the basis for faster development and synergies,” says Toms Didrihsons, “Orkla Confectionery & Snacks Latvija” CEO.

The CEO of “Orkla Foods Latvija” Lolita Bemhena, has after many successful years in “Orkla” decided to leave the company and pursue new opportunities. She will stay until the summer of 2019 and participate in the integration process as an advisor to the CEO.

“Lolita has been leading the company for 27 years. She has together with her team developed the company to become one of the leading food companies in Latvia. We are truly grateful to Lolita for the successful cooperation and whish her good luck in her plans for the future,” adds Ann-Beth Freuchen, CEO of “Orkla Foods” (Nordics and Baltics).

“I would like to thank my colleagues at “Orkla” for 27 wonderful years. In the beginning we were a small company but managed to achieve great results and growth – both before and after joining the Orkla- family in 2004.  I think now is the right time for me to take a step back and let somebody else step up. To start, I plan to spend more time with my family, re-focus on some of my hobbies as well as look after my health and wellbeing more. At later time I might look for new challenges and opportunities both personally and professionally,” says Lolita Bemhena, CEO of “Orkla Foods”.

“Orkla Confectionery & Snacks Latvija” is one of the leading confectionery and snack producing company in the Baltic States. The company represents the following product brands: “Laima”, “Selga”, “Staburadze”, “Ādažu Čipsi”, “Taffel the Original Snacks” and “Pedro”. The company exports goods to almost 30 countries and employs more than 1,000 people.

“Orkla Foods Latvija” is one of the most modern and largest food and food additive manufacturers in Latvia and the Baltic States, employing more than 180 people. "Orkla Foods Latvija" represents “Spilva”, “Gutta”, “Everest” and “Latplanta” brands with products available in categories such as tomato sauces and ketchups, mayonnaise, dressings, canned vegetables, jams and desserts,
horseradish and mustard, soups and other foods, spices, juices and nectars, drinking water and smoothies.

About Orkla:
Orkla is a leading supplier of branded consumer goods and concept solutions to the grocery sector, specialist retailers, out-of-home sectors and the bakery market. The Nordic and Baltic regions are Orkla’s main markets and account for approximately 80% of the turnover of the Branded Consumer Goods business. The Orkla Group also holds good positions in selected product categories in Central Europe and India. The company is the main supplier on the European bread market segment.