The ‘Chojecki’ Company has more than 30-years of history. Please outline briefly to the readers of the Food from Poland magazine how your business has developed to become one of today’s leading manufacturers of biscuits in Poland.
Yes, indeed, in December last year the ‘Chojecki’ company celebrated its 32nd anniversary. The first years of activity were as a traditional production of confectionery products (cakes). The traditional bakery has survived to this day, and along with a manufacturer's retail outlet is an important part of the Chojecki company. Flexibility of the company, analysis of the consumer’s needs and focus on high quality products was the key to success. Thus we have earned a good reputation and a leading position in the local market. Rapidly growing demand forced the decision to purchase the first production line for shortbread. Machinery stock was gradually augmented with new machines for making gingerbread, shortbread biscuits with filling, or sponge fingers filled with jelly. As a result of sustainable development, the company has evolved from a small bakery into a large Confectionery Production Plant, which employs about 250 people. Last year we completed the construction of a new location with an area of 7 000 square meters, which in addition to office – administrative facilities, contains warehouses for finished products and a production hall with modern production and packaging lines.
How have the production methods changed since 1979, and how did you manage to preserve the chocolate products traditional recipes?
Since its inception, the customer was priority for the company. Along with a change of customers’ expectations and preferences, the production process and product range we offered has changed. These changes were the natural results of the development that took place over several years in the economic and social area of our country. New markets opened up, we appreciated the convenience and comprehensiveness of shopping in hypermarkets, our expectations have increased, we look for smaller and nicer packaging. Only by investing in a modern machinery fleet and automating the production process we were able to keep up with the changing trends, to ensure high quality and gain access to modern distribution channels. We strive not only to meet the new requirements imposed by the market, but also constantly surprise the customer and offer customers something special and unique. La Crema pastries filled with semi-liquid cream in many flavours is a good example.
How can you assure the highest quality and safety of your sweets?
In our company we work in accordance with the guidelines of the HACCP quality system and according to the standards of the BRC for several years. We control not only the raw materials which we use to produce cakes, but we also place emphasis on the proper functioning of quality systems in production, packaging, storage or transport. All lines are equipped with detection systems, while the Quality Department ensures safety. Our company is a manufacturer of many private brands for major retail chains such as Tesco, Kaufland or Coop. We need to make sure that the consumers buy perfect and safe products.
Shortbread, gingerbread, sponge fingers and biscuits with the ‘Chojecki’ logo are present in the Polish market and abroad. How important is export sales for the company? Which countries are the most important export partners and which are within the range of interest?
Sales abroad currently represents over 40 percent of the company’s turnover, i.e. almost every second cake we bake is bought by foreign consumers. At present, representatives from 38 countries are our contractors. Most of the recipients are from Western Europe. We achieved a strong position in countries such as Italy, Austria, Germany, Finland and Sweden. Cooperation with representatives from Eastern and Arab markets, for which separate recipes are prepared, is also developing successfully. Our further expansion plans are ambitious. We are already working on introducing our products to Japan and China. These are difficult and demanding markets that require careful preparations.
How important for the company is your presence at international fairs?
I think that international trade fairs are important for every company. This is where we present the innovations, learn about current trends in the sweets market, and we establish key business contacts. Each country has its own preferences regarding the type of raw materials used, quality and taste of products and visualization of packaging. It is therefore important to recognise the expectations of the market during the first discussions. I think the key to success is to appropriately adjust our offers to customer’s needs and to prepare the packaging carefully.
But contractors conquered in this way, are not just business. It is primarily the relationships that enrich and develop our company. These are the long-standing friendships, through thick and thin, based on mutual trust.
Thank you for interview.
