With nearly 100 million euros invested, 100% of the concerned employees having followed the company in its move, and a new space dedicated to the transmission of know-how, Léonidas opens a new chapter in its history with its new production site in Nivelles. This ambitious and human entrepreneurial project is driven by a long-term vision and the desire to nurture tomorrow's talents.
Léonidas's story, which began in 1913 with the opening of its first store, has become an international brand present in about forty countries. Its original mission remains: to make quality chocolate accessible to the greatest number, with a focus on ingredients, product freshness, assortment diversity, and customer relationships.
The new Nivelles site, with initial reflections dating back to 2004 and the first stone laid in September 2023, brings together eight industrial production lines and three lines geared towards artisanal production. This investment aims to improve production and logistics efficiency, and expand creative possibilities to meet evolving consumer demands.
The site was designed with particular attention to the working environment and minimizing its environmental impact, with the goal of building a high-performing, sustainable tool capable of supporting the company's long-term development.
The relocation of some 450 employees from Brussels to Nivelles was a success, with all affected staff following the company. Management highlights pride in this mobilization, demonstrating the teams' attachment to their company and the value of their accumulated experience.
The Business Experience Center at the new site includes a chocolate museum, an auditorium, and workshop spaces. It aims to welcome the general public, schools, and younger generations to discover the world of chocolate and its associated professions, thereby contributing to inspiring vocations in a sector seeking new talent.
This new site materializes a vision built over decades, driven by the desire to perpetuate the company, strengthen its capabilities, and pass on its heritage. Léonidas intends to continue its international development while remaining true to its identity as a family business, committed to the quality, know-how, and accessibility of its products.
