Highlights in the history of Cargill Cocoa:
1980
 Inauguration of new cocoa pressing plant, Cargill Cacao Ltda in Ilheus, Brazil.
First step in cocoa business.
1986
 Acquisition of General Cocoa in Amsterdam, with its’ daughter companies
Gerkens Cacao Industrie B.V. in Wormer and Fennema BV in Deventer, Holland.
1992
 Acquisition of Wilbur Chocolate in Lititz, USA
2000
 Inauguration of cocoa processing plant Micao SA in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
Production of cocoa mass, cocoa butter and cocoa powder
2003
 Acquisition of OCG Cacao with chocolate factories in France, Belgium and
United Kingdom.
2004
 Acquisition of Nestlé processing factories in York and Hamburg.

The history of the production facilities for the Gerkens brand are:
Gerkens Holland (Gerkens Cacao B.V.):
1928
 Foundation of Gerkens Olieraffinaderij N.V., a vegetable oil refinery in Wormer, Holland.
1963
 Start of processing cocoa. Acquisition of cocoa pressing plant De Jonker in
Zaandam, with an annual processing capacity of 12 MT of cocoa beans.
1964
 The name Gerkens Olieraffinaderij N.V. is changed into Gerkens Cacao
Industrie N.V.
1975
 Gerkens Cacao Industrie N.V. is acquired by trading company General
Cocoa, Holland .
1979
 Inauguration of Gerkens Cacao pressing, cake grinding and powder packing
plant De Eenhoorn in Wormer, Holland.
1979
 Acquisition of Stuurman Cacao in Zaandam and compound chocolate
specialist Fennema in Deventer, Holland.
1979
 Acquisition of Korff Cacao in Amsterdam.
1986
 Cargill Inc. acquires General Cocoa and its’ daughter companies.
1986
 Inauguration of Gerkens Cacao cocoa pressing plant Aurora II in Zaandam,
Holland. Processing of cocoa beans.
1991
 ISO 9002 certification by Lloyd’s of London for dutch processing factories.
1992
 ISO 9001 certification by Lloyd's of London for dutch processing factories.
1992
 Acquisition of Van Houten’s customer base.
1994
 H.A.C.C.P. system and the governmental regulations for working conditions
and environmental care are included in our ISO 9001 certification.
1996
 Production tripled during past 10 years.
2002
 AIB certification, rating excellent.
2004
 BRC certification, higher level.

Gerkens Brazil (Cargill Cacao Ltda):

1980
 Inauguration of Cargill cocoa processing plant Cargill Cacau Ltda in Ilheus, Brazil.
1986
 Start up of production of cocoa powder and cocoa butter.
1988
 Pressing capacity is doubled and Gerkens cocoa processing technology is introduced.
1989
 Nibs alkalinization and powder tempering process is implemented – unique in Brazil.
1993
 Opening of the airconditioned warehouse.
1993
 ISO 9002 certification: Cargill Cacau is the first food plant in South America to receive
this certification.
1993
 Introduction of additional quality systems such as pest control program and HACCP.
1995
 Becoming first importer of cocoa beans into Brazil.
1995
 Awarded by Cargill with the Cargill Quality Award .
1997
 Awarded by Cargill with the Cargill Spicola Quality Award (= for receiving Cargill Quality
Award for the 3rd time).
1998
 Start up of a 2nd production line enabling the plant to enter the red cocoa powder
market.
1999
 Introduction of Fura-Bolo educational project Ilheus: textbooks are published and
distributed to public schools to stimulate childrens’ interest in literature.
1999
 AIB certification, rating excellent.
2000
 A new production line is added, enabling the plant to produce and blend black cocoa
powders.
2002
 Introduction of Spectrum Line™: the complete range of special cocoa powders.
2004
 Celebration of 12 years production without accident.
2004
 Introduction of Grão em Grão project in public schools in Ilheus: teaching children from
poor families how to grow fruits and vegetables for own use.
2004
 Halal certification.

Gerkens Ivory Coast (Micao SA):
2000
 Inauguration of Cargill cocoa processing plant Micao SA, production of cocoa mass,
cocoa butter and cocoa powder.
2001
 ISO 9001:2000 certification.
2002
 Ivorian Quality Award.
2002
 AIB certification, rating excellent.
© Gerkens Cacao BV, The Netherlands.