Ljubljana, 30 October (STA) - The Slovenian baking group Don Don which is present across large parts of the Balkans has become a part of the Mexican Bimbo group, the largest baker in the world. Announcing the move on Wednesday, Don Don said that it would lead Bimbo's development and sales programme in central and southern Europe.
So far, Grupo Bimbo has not been present in this part of Europe, with Don Don saying today that it intends to grow its share in the markets where it is present.
Don Don has subsidiaries in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia. It is also exporting goods to Kosovo, Macedonia, Greece and Slovakia.
In Slovenia, it is operating two production facilities - one in Kranj and one in Grosuplje - and owns the brands Tvojih 5 Minut and Pekarna Grosuplje.
"Through Grupo Bimbo Don Don baking products will get a unique opportunity for promotion and sales on global markets," Don Don said.
The consolidated group will strengthen its presence in the region and invest in high technology plants, strategic partnerships and takeovers in key markets, the press release added.
The strategic partnership, whose details have not been disclosed, is pending several conditions for both parties, which Don Don and Bimbo intend to meet in the next five months.
Don Don was founded in the town of Metlika in southeastern Slovenia in 1994. In 2003 it ventured into Croatia and by 2008 it became the largest bakery company in Serbia. In Slovenia, it took over Pekarna Grosuplje in 2015.
The group employs over 2,400 people, according to Don Don's website.
Grupo Bimbo is present in 35 countries in both North and South America, Europe, Asia ad Africa. It operates nearly 230 production facilities and over 1,500 sales centres.