Leader estimates 16.3m-euro business

Leader International, one of the major producers of canned fruit and vegetables, estimates a 54 million-RON (16.3 million-euro) turnover this year, up 30% on last year, when its business stood at 12.4 million euros. “In the first nine months of this year, Leader witnessed a 41 million-RON (12.4 million-euro) turnover, up 20% against the same time last year, with growth largely prompted by an improved infrastructure and technology,” said Luminita Vlad, general manager of Leader International. The company conducted investments worth 8 million euros this year, while the first stage of investments was aided by a SAPARD project worth 4 million euros, which was completed in September. The investments were mainly directed towards increasing production capacities and acquiring new vegetable processing lines, which will help boost the company’s production. “The ongoing investments, which started in 2006, will continue in 2008, and go to the retooling of the plant in Caracal, to both the production of canned vegetables and the fruit and vegetable freezing line,” said the company’s general manager.