POLTAVA, June 17, 2002. /Ukrinform/. Poltava Confectionery purchased technological equipment for the new production facilities, namely a Binder production line for chocolate with filling (Germany) and a Buhler AG line preparing chocolate mass and praline filling. The price of the equipment is not disclosed.

The press service of SigmaBleyzer, an international investment company (Kharkiv), informed the reporter of Ukrinform that the German equipment will be installed at the new factory. (SigmaBleyzer manages a 76.2% stake in Poltava Confectionery). The new factory will be put into operation in the fourth quarter of 2002, allowing to increase the production capacities of Poltava Confectionery by 100% and expand its output to 200,000 tons per day.

The company is characterized by positive dynamics. The results of Poltava Confectionery in 2001 were as follows: in 2001, sales volumes increased by 2,148 tons (10,9%) in natural terms, or by UAH 27,403,000 (28,7%). The income of the company rose by 21%.

Since early 2002, Poltava Confectionery increased its capacities by 8.5%. In January – March, the company’s output gained 13% to UAH 30.5 million compared to the same period of 2001.

Poltava Confectionery produces 3% of the total amount of Ukrainian confectionery products.

The statutory fund of Poltava Confectionery is UAH 24.48 million. Its shareholder structure is as follows: the UGF International Investment Fund – 76.27% (the stake is under management of SigmaBleyser); employees – 23.73%.