We’ve got pizza, beer, cake, chicken and spice — and now, chocolate.

A European food maker is bringing chocolate — and jobs — to London, boosting the city’s strength in the food sector.

Spain’s Natra will open a $15.4-million plant here in 2014, its first in North America, making chocolate products for the North American market.

“Natra builds on the strengths of the agri-food sector, it diversifies our manufacturing,” said Kapil Lakhotia, general manager of the London Economic Development Corp.

The plant will employ about 60 when it ramps up production.

‘The LEDC worked for about a year to land the plant, after competing as part of a site selection process.

Natra was looking at other possible locations in Southwestern Ontario.

“Any time we bring in a manufacturer to London, we are happy. Our unemployment rate improved last month and we need new manufacturers to strengthen employment,” Lakhotia said.

It joins businesses such as Labatt, Dr. Oetker, The Cakerie, McCormick and Cargill Foods in the city’s food sector.

The London operation will add about 12,000 metric tonnes of chocolate products to the company’s existing 77,000 tonne annual output.

“It is very exciting, it is a big project for us,” said Francisco Mas, chief operating officer for Natra Chocolate America, as the London plant will be known.

The company wants to expand its North American sales and likes London for its access to the U.S. border and its strength in the agri-food sector. It will use local suppliers.

“It will help boost our competitive position,” Mas said of the London plant reducing costs of shipping from Europe.

“We are shipping now to North America. Once we produce locally, it will help us increase sales. It is better for our customers.”

It is not yet known what will be made in London, but Natra’s plants in France, Spain and Belgium make chocolate bars, treats, spreads and chocolate for industrial use, selling to large food producers.

It’s also opening a sales office in Toronto and has one in San Diego, Calif.

“It (London) is close to the border — London’s location is good for us (near Detroit and Buffalo). It is good logistics,” Mas said.

Natra has leased, with an option to buy, a 100,000-sq.-ft. plant on Roxborough Rd., south of Hwy. 401, and bought 3.5 acres of adjacent land for expansion.

The move to London is an effort to double its North American sales the next three years, Natra chief executive Mikel Beitia, says on a food industry website.

In 2012, the North American market accounted for 12% of Natra’s consumer sales, he said.

“Sales in that region rose from ($16.7 million) in 2011 to ($37.3 million) at the end of 2012, a growth of 123%. With the increased presence of Natra in North America, we estimate that the consumer goods division’s sales in this market will double again in the next three years,” Beitia said.

norman.debono@sunmedia.ca

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FOOD FACTS

Food and beverage processing is Ontario’s second largest manufacturing sector, behind auto. It contributes $10 billion to the province’s gross domestic product (GDP) and generates about $36 billion in manufacturing revenue a year.

Food processing in Ontario employs more than 94,000 people in about 3,000 facilities. Ontario’s agri-food industry employs 710,000 people and contributes more than $34 billion to the province’s GDP.

WHAT THEY SAID

They’re a sweet addition to our growing cluster of food processing operations and we look forward to working with them as they grow their North American market. Corporations like Natra continue to show confidence in London and recognize we’re a great place to live and to do business.

Mayor Joe Fontana in an e-mail.

It really is exciting. It is exactly the kind of thing we are trying to make happen. There are opportunities here for foreign investment. This is a very reputable company.

Norm Beal, president, Alliance of Ontario Food Processors

It is terrific news — it’s a real opportunity for the city. Food businesses are on the radar now in a way they were not five years ago. There seems to be a lot of competition along Hwy. 401 for food businesses.

Peter Whatmore, senior vice- president, executive managing director and broker in Southwestern Ontario for CB Richard Ellis, commercial brokerage firm

Natra’s investment in London is great news for the city and great news for Ontario’s agri food industry.

Gabrielle Gallant, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food, in an e-mail

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NATRA FACTS

Makes chocolate bars, treats, spreads and several products for large food manufacturers.

Plants in France, Spain and Belgium.

Founded in 1943 in Valencia, Spain.

THE LONDON PLANT