US food giant Mondelez International has launched a new production line at its Toblerone chocolate plant in Bern, Switzerland, as part of one of the largest investments in its chocolate production network in the last decade. Food Business News reported on the development, which became operational nearly a year after Chicago-based Mondelez announced the project.

The new line forms part of a 65 million Swiss franc ($83.4 million/€76.8m) project to create a global Centre of Excellence at the Bern facility, which produces around 90% of the Toblerone products sold worldwide, reaching consumers in over 120 countries.

The investment will expand manufacturing facilities for chocolate and nougat and increase capacity for mass production. Mondelez said the project will boost Toblerone's production and innovation capabilities to accelerate the brand's growth in the premium chocolate market segment and meet global demand.

The Centre of Excellence project also includes modernisation of logistics and infrastructure at the Bern site, further strengthening the facility's role as the primary global production hub for the iconic triangular chocolate brand.

Thomas Kauffmann, manager of the Bern plant, said: "We are incredibly proud of the new Toblerone production line, as well as the modernisation in logistics and infrastructure."

Iain Livingston, president of Toblerone and World Travel Retail, said: "We have always taken pride in producing here in Switzerland. The investment underlines our strong commitment to the location and is a critical milestone to reach our ambition to lead growth in premium chocolate worldwide."

Mondelez described the Centre of Excellence project as one of the largest investments in its chocolate production network in the last decade, underscoring the strategic importance of the Bern facility to its global manufacturing operations.

Explore the full details of Mondelez's new Toblerone production line investment here.