Paulig opens a new tortilla factory in Belgium to strengthen its position as the market leader of Tex Mex in Europe

Today’s official opening of Paulig’s new tortilla factory is an important milestone in meeting the growing demand for Tex Mex products in Europe. The factory was built next to Paulig’s existing facilities in Roeselare, Belgium, and is the most significant investment Paulig has made outside Finland. The factory produces tortillas for the Santa Maria and Poco Loco brands, as well as for private labels, and will create more than 60 new jobs in the region. 

“This 45-million EUR investment facilitates future growth and strengthens our position as the market leader of the Tex Mex category in Europe. This category is growing rapidly in Europe and our new tortilla factory in Roeselare makes it possible for us to seize the opportunities that come with it. Our ambition is to double our European Tex Mex business and the new factory is key in making this possible. The factory also reinforces our innovation capabilities, enabling us to develop the category even further”, says Rolf Ladau, CEO of Paulig. 

In 2021, Paulig’s revenue was EUR 966 million with the Tex Mex business, amounting to slightly more than half of the total revenue. In addition to Tex Mex, Paulig is noted for its high-quality coffee, spices and snacks. Paulig’s products are sold in more than 70 markets globally. 

The new tortilla factory has three production lines, enabling wheat- and gluten-free tortillas. More than 60 new jobs are expected to be created thanks to the new factory; these will mainly be for operators, technicians, team leaders and warehouse workers, including various positions to support growth in other departments. 

“The city of Roeselare is very honoured by the confidence by Paulig to invest further in our city, known as Food Valley of Flanders. The high quality of its products, the sustainability approach and the enthusiasm of the future employees prove that the goals and the ambitions of Paulig and our city embrace and even strengthen our long existing partnership”, says Kris Declercq, Mayor of Roeselare.  

Carbon neutral and modern factory 

The new factory is Paulig’s eleventh and has achieved the CarbonNeutral® building certification. This certification is provided by Climate Impact Partners to companies that shows our continued commitment to sustainability by following The CarbonNeutral Protocol, the leading framework for carbon neutrality.  

“The factory is equipped with the latest technology that helps us meet customer expectations, develop our product innovation and strengthen our sustainability proposition. Our customers value this and we are proud to offer them this at a location that is brilliant from a logistic point of view since it enables efficient logistics across Europe”, says Thomas Panteli, SVP Supply Chain & Sourcing at Paulig. 

Paulig aims to become one of the fastest growing food and beverage companies in Europe and a sustainable frontrunner in the industry by 2030. 

Fact box: Paulig’s new tortilla factory in Roeselare, Belgium 

• 45-million EUR investment 

• 10,000 m2 in size 

• 60 new jobs are expected to be created 

• 14.5 metres high 

• Three production lines for tortillas  

• The Tex Mex factory and the new tortilla production plant in Roeselare are connected to Paulig’s high-bay warehouse via a 10-metre-long bridge, a solution that helps the company avoid a lot of road transport. 

• The combined Roeselare sites are the largest workplace within Paulig with more than 750 employees. 

For more information, please contact:  
Anu-Maaria Vaalama   
Director, Corporate Communications & Brand    
anu-maaria.vaalama@paulig.com  
+358 40 766 78 34 

About Paulig 

Paulig is a family-owned food and beverage company, founded in 1876. The company's brands are Paulig, Santa Maria, Risenta, Liven and Poco Loco. The products are sold in more than 70 different markets around the globe. Paulig is Europe’s largest supplier of Tex Mex food. Paulig aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its value chain by 50 percent by 2030, compared with the 2018 baseline. In addition, Paulig aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its own operations by 80 percent by 2030. Paulig reported sales of EUR 966 million in 2021. Read more at pauliggroup.com