Made in Liege: the food & beverage angle
It is in your plate, it is in your glass, it is from Liege. For decades the food & beverage industry has been enjoying a fine reputation here. And for more than 15 years now it has been showing a steady increase. Let us make an outline of this leading activity.
In Liege, the food & beverage business ranks third in the local economy manufactured goods. But it is considered as a leading sector since it stands far ahead of the Belgium's national growth, in percentage terms. Evidence of this is shown every day through foreign investments as well as through a significant expansion of local companies. This is the case of the Detry company, this is likewise the case for many others.
Production is divided into 9 major categories. Milk, water and soda plants together with the brewery are particularly noteworthy to the extend that these sectors are more representative of the area than of the nation.
1. The milky wave
The dairy industry (butter, cream and cheese)
Multinationals have shown great interest in the region whose know-how is widely renowned. Corman Cy, world Number One in condensed butter, is set up here. It is a subsidiary of Bongrain, a French firm world leader in cheese. We also find BHA Cy, one of the world specialists in powdered milk, distinguished for their high technical yields. Nestlé, Besnier and other great names are established here as well.
2. Cheers
The beverage industry (beer, cider, water and soda)
With 28% of employment in the agro-food industry, it is a key sector. The Interbrew and Spadel Groups represent 96% of this. Whereas the average domestic growth is 12% since 1980, it amounts to 61% in Liege. This outstanding figure is due to the development of water and soda bottling plants.
Two major cider companies are also to be mentioned: Stassen Cy, Belgian leader in cider, member of HP Bulmer, a top British Group, along with the Ruwet cider company.
3. Cookies, I love them!
The bakery industry
Alongside craft bakeries, Delacre is the most representative large-scale company. It is a subsidiary of Campbell's Biscuits Europe, a division of the American Campbell's Soup. With 22,000 tons per year it is the most important production plant of the Group in Europe. Ranking fourth on the world market for the volume of products sold, Delacre is the leader of the prestigious line of cookies. The Group's European research center is also set up in the area.
4. Belgian chocolates
The chocolate, candy and ice cream industry
In terms of output (5%), it does not represent a large part of the regional economy, but the sector has acquired a highly positive image. Two multinationals' subsidiaries lead the market in Liege. These are:
- Jacques Cy belonging to the German Stollwerck AG Group
- Mio owned by the giant Unilever.
- The Galler company has earned a great reputation offering the finest chocolate, originally shaped and packed. Their innovating attitude gives them a huge advantage.
- Originality and quality guarantees are undoubtedly the reasons why Rensonnet Cy's almonds pâtés have conquered Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia and so on.
5. Apple appeal
The fruit and vegetable industry (canned or frozen, apple & pear butter).
As in the chocolate industry, the cottage industry for apple & pear butter benefit from a strong positive image. "Le vrai sirop de Liège", the famous pear butter , produced by the Meurens firm is a fine example of a local item that is quite appreciated by connoisseurs.
From the industrial point of view, the Liege sector focuses on frozen peas which makes up 50% of the domestic market. This is handled by Hesbayefrost Cy, a subsidiary of Ardovries, which is one of the leading European Groups in frozen foods.
6. Hey, sugar
The sugar industry
All companies active in the sugar industry depend on the RT Group (Tirlemont/Tienen sugar refinery), which is run by Südzucker (Germany), NO. 1 in Europe.
The Liege-Oreye refinery specializes in high value-added goods. They are first and foremost the world's top pearl sugar producer (50% of the market) intended for the pastry and bakery industry. The Wanze-Liege sugar refinery is one of the most important large-scale manufacturers of the Group.
7. The coffee break
The coffee industry
Coffee bean torrefaction is handled by two major production plants: Kraft Jacobs Suchard (Philip Morris) and Edel. They export nearly all of their output which is constantly on the increase.
Belonging to Rothfos, a German Group, Edel is one of the five biggest European freezed-dried coffee businesses of top notch. Thanks to several technical break-throughs, Edel has developed an on-going production process unique in its field, thus improving both quality and productivity.
On the other hand small family businesses such as "Café Liégeois" whose torrefaction production is quite homemade, are active in hosting trades.
8. Meet the meat
The meat industry
Bringing together three leading Belgian companies - Detry, Derwa and Hollandia - this is one of the most vital industries considering production and employment. A local growth rate of 89% is to be noted compared to 60% in the country. Their key words : diversification and finely processed products.
9. Small and leading businesses
The other industries
Less representative but still very performant, some other specific firms are thriving thanks to their market approach. To name but two examples, let us focus on:
Local assets and features
Local characteristics can be summed up in five points :
- 1.Alongside some international giants, companies are mainly SMBs, which enjoy great flexibility in management and production.
- 2.Tradition and know-how have combined to give the region a positive image.
- 3.Companies are very exacting with regard to standards and are equipped with high performing tools, never ceasing to invest in the best. They are therefore able to offer top quality and high value added goods, whether this be local crafts or industrial products.
- 4.If Liege-based companies succeed on a worldwide and European scale, it is mainly due to their dynamism and spirit of expansion, to their ability to head general trends affecting the national and international sectors. One of these trends which has shaped the food industry is the agglomeration of companies together in one spot; it is especially noticeable in such industries as : breweries, sugar production, coffee and chocolate manufacturing, bottling plants along with the dairy industry.
- 5.SMBs develop within a highly specialized range. They are constantly moving forward, innovating both in new fields as well as in new markets and new products.
Foreign investments and exportation
Foreign countries investing are :
- France ( Bongrain, Besnier, ...)
- Germany (Südzucker, Stollwerck-Imhoff, ...)
- USA (Unilever, Philip Morris, Campbell's Soup, ...)
