SAUDI ARABIA – UK-based snacking giant Pladis, known for its iconic brands like McVitie’s biscuits and Godiva chocolates, has opened a new regional headquarters in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The move marks a significant milestone in the company’s strategic growth and expansion plans for the Middle East, North Africa, and India region.

The new hub in the Zahran Business Center, located in Jeddah’s commercial district, will serve as the central command for Pladis’ operations across the three regions.

Suryakant Pandey, Pladis’s managing director for the Middle East, North Africa, and India, expressed his enthusiasm for the new headquarters, stating, “The opening of our new headquarters in Jeddah is a pivotal step in our journey towards strengthening our presence in the region.”

Pladis, a Turkish conglomerate Yıldız Holding subsidiary, has been on a growth trajectory. It has invested in its workforce and business to provide a modern, collaborative environment that will drive innovation and growth across its operations.

The company, which also owns brands such as Jacob’s, Carr’s, and Go Ahead, believes that this new office will serve as the cornerstone of its regional strategy, enabling it to better serve its customers and communities.

With a global workforce of 16,000 employees across 27 bakeries in 11 countries, Pladis offers a wide range of products, including sweet and savory biscuits, wafers, cakes, and chocolates.

The integration of Godiva, the renowned Belgian chocolatier, into Pladis began in 2023 and is anticipated to be completed by 2024.

Saudi Arabia has been successful in attracting foreign investment in recent years. According to data released by the Saudi Central Bank, the Kingdom’s foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows surged by 29.1% in the third quarter of 2023 compared to the previous quarter, reaching SAR7.99 billion (US$2.13 billion).

The new regional hub in Jeddah is expected to play a crucial role in Pladis’ growth strategy in the Middle East, North Africa, and India.

Suryakant Pandey stated, “This office embodies our commitment to investing in our people and our business, providing a modern, collaborative space that will drive innovation and growth across our operations.”

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