This Wednesday, April 1, Haribo France announces a significant investment in the region. The creation of a state-of-the-art factory on its site in Uzès. Strengthen competitiveness, increase production, reduce environmental impact… We take stock with Anthony Deleter, one of the general managers of the number 1 candy brand.
Rumors are circulating that a big project is coming for Haribo France?
Yes, we are announcing an investment, intended to modernize our industrial facilities, with the construction of a new, state-of-the-art, ultra-modern factory on our Uzès site. This is a major investment for Haribo, as we are reaching a new stage in our history. As a leader in the candy market, our objective is to strengthen our industrial competitiveness. In Uzès, we make Dragibus, the number 1 candy sold in France. This new production unit will allow us to meet the strong demand for this brand.
“This is the largest investment ever made by Haribo in France”
How much does this project represent an investment?
Today, we are at the planning stage of the project, so I cannot yet give you an amount. But what I can say is that this is the biggest investment ever made by Haribo in France. It’s a massive investment.
What will the timetable be?
We still have to meet the staff representatives, submit the building permit – scheduled for April – and obtain the authorizations. We hope to obtain the permit by the end of the year, start construction on the Uzès site, and launch production at the end of 2028 or in the first quarter of 2029.
“We are aiming for a 90% reduction in our carbon footprint”
When you say that it will be a state-of-the-art factory, what will it have more than the existing factories?
We are going to replace all our manufacturing and packaging lines with new generations of machines, more efficient and more automated. The objective is to strengthen our competitiveness and reduce our environmental footprint. We are aiming for a 90% reduction in our carbon footprint and a 50% reduction in our energy consumption at the Uzès site.
Why did you choose Uzès?
Because in Uzès, we have land reserves. The new factory will be built on the current site, at the location of the warehouse. The old factory will be used for storage. And, gradually, production will shift entirely to Uzès and Marseille, we will specialize in historic products like Crocodiles, Smurfs, Rotella.
“We have just re-signed a partnership with the Tour de France”
“In terms of popularity, we are investing in the brand on TV or digital, but we are also focusing on certain events. Notably the Tour de France. Besides, I can give you the information: we have just re-signed a three-year partnership with the Tour de France. Our caravan, which is one of the favorites on the Tour de France will therefore be on the circuit again.”
So there will be recruitment?
Yes, there will be hiring, because we will increase product volumes. This will create activity in the region, particularly with our local suppliers. However, the objective is also to gain productivity thanks to a more modern factory.
Do you have a quantified objective in terms of productivity?
Not yet. We will present details of the project to staff representatives in the coming weeks. Today, the objective is to announce this good news: the Haribo group has placed its trust in France by investing in a new factory. This is a first, because Haribo has never built a factory in France.
Providing little moments of happiness, little pleasures, with high quality products at affordable prices
Does such a project mean that the candy market is still doing as well?
Clearly. He is growing slightly. In France, the candy market is at +0.7% volume in 2025. And we, at Haribo, have an increase in volume of around +2.6%, which allows us to reach 48.5% market share.
Is it the novelty or your historical candies that appeal the most?
Haribo’s success is a mission that has not changed: to provide little moments of happiness, little pleasures, with high-quality products at affordable prices. Because Haribo is a popular brand. So there are the historical ones, with the iconic products (Dragibus, Crocodile, Smurf, Tagada) which always please. But we also have to launch new products because we are in an impulse market and our consumers are expecting new products. So every year, we offer 5 or 6 new candies. The other strong point is the animation of the brand around high times like Carnival and Halloween, where our sales increase by more than 10% each year.
This year, the Haribo museum will also celebrate its 30th anniversary, what can we expect?
There have been a lot of renovations. Certain rooms, notably the 360° video room, will be redone. The car park has also been completely renovated to welcome the public. And then there will be new rooms, new features, with a full opening planned for the spring. Concerning the 30th anniversary, yes, there will be surprises, activities and new features. It’s important, because you always have to bring new things that make you dream.
60 years of Haribo France in 2027
The Haribo brand was founded over 100 years ago in Germany by Hans Riegel. “Besides, Haribo is an acronym. It is the contraction of the name of the founder, Hans Riegel, who created the company in 1920 in Bonn”précise Anthony Deleter.
“We have a strong regional footprint”
Then in 1967, the candy leader arrived in France, in Marseille more precisely, when the group bought the Lorette liquor store. In 2027, the French sector will celebrate its 60th anniversary. And a few years later, it is this time in Gard that the brand is established, with the acquisition of Ricqles zan in Uzès in 1987. “We created the largest Haribo store in the world there”continues one of the brand’s general directors. Finally, in 1996, Uzès saw the construction of the only candy museum in the world. “We have a strong regional footprint”insiste Anthony Deleter.
Today, the Haribo France subsidiary represents nearly 700 employees for 26 stores nationwide, in addition to a presence in nearly 120 other countries. At the head of the French sector, Anthony Deleter, who is in charge of sales and marketing. But not only that. With Pascal Bernard (operations) and Timothée Glorieux (finance and administration), they are the three general directors.“It is the second largest subsidiary of the groupcontinues the sales representative. One in two candies sold in France is a Haribo candy.” A story, and above all, a success, which is not running out of steam. The secret? “A brand that remains popular”he assures.
