Chocolate manufacturing will be phased out at the Ballerup plant in favour of the Nowa Sól facility in Poland
is downsizing operations in its home market and expanding a factory in Poland
The branded sweets and pick-and-mix business plans to phase out production of chocolate at its facility in Ballerup
but will keep its headquarters at the site
Toms will then have one manufacturing facility in Denmark
its Helseholmen sweets factory producing products such as liquorice and wine gums
in the west province of Lubusz Voivodeship
will be the target for investment and expansion
A “nine-figure” sum has been earmarked for the Nowa Sól site in the “coming years” to add additional space and compensate for the phase down at Ballerup
Toms declined to elaborate on the investment amount but a spokesperson told Just Food that work at the plant is expected to be completed by 2028
“Less than” a 100 jobs are expected to be affected by the shift from Ballerup
although some of those could move to the other Denmark site
adding that 90-100 positions would be created at Nowa Sól once the switch is completed
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“The transformation is an impactful strategic action to support our vision of creating a profitable
growing and competitive Toms,” CEO Annette Zeipel said in a statement
“It will move us closer to [the] industry benchmark in terms of profitability
simplify processes and enable us to strengthen our strategic sourcing.”
Toms’ spokesperson declined to comment further on the profitability objective
Net profit in the 2023 financial year fell 25% to DKr54.3m ($7.6m)
Anthon Berg and Hachez brand maker reported in its annual results in April
The company supplies markets across Europe but Denmark is the largest revenue earner
It also serves destinations further afield in North America
Toms described 2023 as a “challenging year” marked by raw material price increases
currency pressures and “consumers increasingly seeking deep promotions and private-label offers during inflation”
CEO Zeipel commented: “Our outlook for 2024 is that the entire business will remain under heavy margin pressure from increasing raw material prices – especially significantly increasing cocoa prices – and consumers staying with shopping patterns established during last year’s inflationary environment.”
The gross margin dropped 170 basis points last year to 27.5%
In the statement announcing the downsizing plans and the Poland expansion
Zeipel said: “This is an investment in the future of building a stronger Toms Group
“With an improved profitability follows the ability to invest further in our beloved brands
and in our commitment to sustainability and talent development.”
Zeipel added that transition from Ballerup could take three to four years but any impact on staff at the site is not expected in the immediate two years
“This transition is a necessary part of our efforts to strengthen Toms Group’s position as a modern and profitable company,” she said
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Olga Domin arrived at her parent’s lime-green bungalow in the snowy outskirts of Nowa Sol
the man who persuaded her online to run away to the UK
was warmly welcomed: he charmed relatives on a visit to a local amusement park and joined Sara’s grandparents at a mini-zoo where they showed her farm animals
• Sara Sharif’s mother: Her father tried to set me on fire
happy little girl”JACK TAYLOR FOR THE TIMESNow
he says through tear-filled eyes that they missed the warning signs of a “toxic abuser”
Today Sharif was found guilty of murdering Sara
the son of Nigerian football legend Nwankwo Kanu
has officially signed with Polish club KS Dozamet Connector Nowa Sol
The young midfielder made the switch from Górnik Polkowice as he continues to carve his own path in professional football
The club unveiled Sean Kanu in an official ceremony attended by his mother
was not present at the unveiling but has been a strong influence on his football career
Sean’s move to KS Dozamet Connector Nowa Sol is seen as a step forward in his development
with the club providing him an opportunity to gain more experience and playing time
The young talent has been making waves in Poland
and many are eager to see how he will perform with his new team
Fans and analysts are optimistic about his future
hoping he can follow in his father’s footsteps and achieve great success in football
Prime Minister Donald Tusk went to Lubuskie Voivodeship
as it is bracing for the expected wave on the Oder River
he announced that Marcin Kierwiński would become the government's plenipotentiary for flood relief programme
the Prime Minister noted the next step - efficient organisation of recovery and relief efforts.
“We want to move as quickly as possible
but also the organisation of the recovery programme,”
Marcin Kierwiński will become the government's plenipotentiary for the flood relief programme.
“I was looking for someone who has a technical background
and who is also an experienced politician in terms of governance
has local government experience and has dealt with crisis situations,”
former Minister of the Interior and Administration
He has an engineering background; he initiated work on the Civil Protection Act,and worked as a deputy marshal of a voivodeship and city councillor
This experience ensures that the relief programme will run seamlessly.
“It would be hard to find someone better qualified for this very difficult project,”
decided to resign and return to Poland to support the recovery effort.
the Prime Minister also recalled that Nowa Sól managed to survive the 1997 flood thanks to the heroic efforts of its residents.
This is a symbol that gives us all hope and strength
It shows that working together and solidarity can lead to many great things,”
The Prime Minister once again thanked the authorities and residents for their joint efforts
He also informed that the area affected by the state of natural disaster is expanded as the situation develops.
To help revitalise the economy of Poland’s Lubuskie Voivodeship
this EU-funded project has transformed a former industrial site into a state-of-the-art centre for social
I remember when we had very high unemployment in Nowa Sól
EU funds and projects like this help us a lot and have a big impact
Located along the Oder River in Western Poland
the town of Nowa Sól has traditionally been an industrial hub
its skyline is still dominated by the now-defunct factories of the Odra Company
Thanks to the support of the EU-funded RE ODRA project
these empty factories are getting a facelift and a new lease on life
The project is transforming the former Odra industrial site into a hub for cultural
The effort is an important component of the city’s urban regeneration programme for 2016–2023
A key part of the renovation involves work on one of the factory’s former towers – which still serves as a city landmark
The tower is being completely redone so it can support the modern-day needs of citizens
The project is also installing a new utility infrastructure
sanitation and electricity throughout the site
along with covered parking spaces for scooters and bicycles
The renovated site is readily accessible via a newly built road
which also features dedicated pedestrian and bicycle paths
The Odra site will include numerous green spaces and a community band shell
including 7 823 m2 of rehabilitated open space
It is estimated that over 660 people will directly benefit from the project
Total investment for the project “‘RE ODRA – social and economic activation of former factory sites in Nowa Sól” is EUR 3 759 508 (PLN 16 096 617)
with the EU’s European Regional Development Fund contributing EUR 2 787 610 (PLN 11 935 361) through the “Lubuskie Voivodeship” Regional Operational Programme for the 2014-2020 programming period
The investment falls under the priority “Democratic Change”
tons of dead fish have been floating in the Oder River
This is an environmental disaster of enormous proportions
the cause of which has not yet been clarified and the full extent of which cannot yet be foreseen
The first reports began to arrive on July 26. Senator Wadim Tyszkiewicz, formerly the mayor of Nowa Sól, which lies on the Polish banks of the Oder, wrote on his Facebook page: “A catastrophe
The fish that didn’t die are swimming in agony
snatching oxygen from the surface of the water
The water in the river is murky and the foam smells of chlorine and septic tank
the Oder is the eighth longest river in Central Europe
flows through Sląskie (Silesia) and becomes the border river between Poland and Germany at Schiedlo
before flowing into the Baltic Sea at Stettin
the first dead fish also appeared on the German banks in the Oder-Spree district
The city of Frankfurt an der Oder issued a warning that a massive fish die-off had been observed for “unexplained reasons.” On Thursday
it is expected to enter the Lower Odertal German-Polish nature reserve and from there flow further towards the Baltic Sea via the Stettiner Haff
In Poland, the anglers’ association has organised volunteers to remove the fish carcasses. According to their own statements, they had recovered more than 10 tonnes of dead fish from the Oder within a few days. This Facebook page from one of the volunteers shows the tragic scale of the disaster
Several tonnes of fish carcasses were also recovered in the German section of the Oder
After reports of mercury contamination of the Oder were received
some volunteers stopped the disposal operation for their own protection
continued wearing personal protective gear
as mass decomposition in the river is an ecological hazard in itself
especially if the carcasses contain toxic chemicals
What remains unknown so far is the impact on the entire river biotope—on plant life
on the micro-organisms in the river and its countless tributaries
as well as on birds and other animals that feed on fish
There are reports from Poland of dead seabirds and beavers
“It seems that everything that breathes air from the water has died,” Johannes Giebermann of the Frankfurt/Oder Landscape Management Office told Der Spiegel
We can’t even estimate the dimension of it right now.”
tons of dead fish are floating in the Oder—and that at an extremely low water level and in great heat,” Spiegel reports
“One thing is clear: the carcasses have to be removed from the water
it is still unclear what the exact reason for the mass deaths is.”
Without knowing the reason for the die-off
“Only if we know this can we act properly now,” emphasized Giebermann
who used to work for the German Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (Nabu)
The public prosecutor’s office in Wrocław and the Brandenburg State Criminal Investigation Office (LKA) have started investigations into a possible environmental crime
German authorities detected an elevated concentration of mercury in water samples on Thursday
Polish authorities an elevated concentration of the solvent mesitylene (or 1,3,5,-trimethylbenzene) a week earlier
there is still no clear finding as to what caused the disaster
According to Germany’s Federal Environment Minister Steffi Lemke (Greens)
the fish deaths may be due to chemical poisoning
“It does seem that it is chemical substances from industrial production,” she said after a meeting with her Polish counterpart Anna Moskwa in Szczecin
The Polish government currently claims the disaster was not caused by heavy metals
This was the result of the latest analysis of dead fish by the state veterinary institute
Moskwa wrote on Twitter on Saturday evening
pointed to elevated salt levels in the water and thus agreed with the findings of the German authorities
Warsaw also expressed the suspicion that the Oder had been poisoned with chemical waste and the Polish police offered a reward of the equivalent of 210,000 euros for anyone providing evidence
When the reports of countless dead fish piled up
the Voivodeship Inspectorate for Environmental Protection in Wrocław ordered water samples on July 28
These invalidated the initial suspicion of deoxidation of the river water
Such a lack of oxygen in the water occurs frequently
as warm water binds oxygen more poorly than cold water
The detailed laboratory results confirmed this suspicion
located about 30 kilometres before Wrocław
mesitylene (1,3,5,-trimethylbenzene) was detected with eighty percent probability
of cyclic and aromatic hydrocarbons (such as mesitylene) could be found
inhalation or ingestion may cause drowsiness
the vapours have a narcotic effect in higher concentrations
an official warning was issued to avoid contact with the water and not to consume any fish from the region
Based on the locations of the water samples
the Environmental Protection Inspectorate concluded that the pollution must have originated upstream in the area of the Opole Voivodeship
the Environmental Protection Inspectorate of the Opole Voivodeship admitted that on July 14 “an incident occurred in the Gliwice canal
Investigations revealed a very high water temperature of 25 degrees Celsius and an excessive concentration of chlorides.” Attempting to downplay the situation
the authorities assured: “These were not large quantities of fish
and research has shown that such a quantity of chlorides cannot be the direct cause of the deaths.”
connects the Oder River with the port of the industrial city of Gliwice
the mouth of the canal is about 100km from the downstream Lipki lock
and there are no reports of mass dead fish between these two points
Another case of pollution was reported by Gazetta Wyborcza from Oława itself
the city where the first mesitylene pollution was detected
a new one owned by Jack-Pol and a half-defunct one owned by PPHU Karaś
both of which are located on a sluice canal and
according to the citizens’ initiative “Everything for Oława,” discharge their wastewater into the Oder River
The citizens’ initiative has detailed proof of the fraud committed by the two companies and has been trying in vain for years to get the authorities to act
The citizens’ initiative wrote: “For several years
state institutions had been unable to locate the culprit releasing the poison and to examine its chemical composition
This shows the helplessness of the system we live in today
They also clearly stated the reasons: “It’s about money
so the easiest thing to do is to dump it directly into the river
Over a dozen years or so it could be hundreds or even thousands of tonnes ...!”
writing: “The most harmful stage [of papermaking] is bleaching the pulp using chlorine gas or chlorine compounds
which releases dangerous organic halogen impurities into paper mill wastewater
When organic chlorine compounds are exposed to high temperatures
they often turn into persistent and highly toxic compounds called dioxins.”
countless people have reported that the Oder stinks of chlorine
Jack-Pol management dismissed such accusations as “nonsense” and “slander” and called for a little more respect for “a company that has been in this market for 25 years
employs 130 people and pays property taxes to the city.”
between the effects of the drought and the restraints put on the watercourse by countless locks that make the Oder navigable
This could explain why the mass mortality only started now
It is also still unclear what caused a 30-centimetre-high toxic wave
The last sluice is located at the hydroelectric power plant in Waly
Was it opened to wash away the pollution more quickly
is currently suffering from extremely low water levels
the water level is currently 1.61 metres—60 centimetres below the average for August
Numerous sandbanks are impeding navigation and reducing the flow to 53 percent of the long-term comparative value
president of the Polish Water Authority (PGW WP)
believes the current disaster is certainly influenced by the drought and low water flows
from a septic tank or pollution in small quantities
which until now was not a problem and was diluted in the river
but now has caused an ecological disaster,” Daca told the Wyborzca newspaper
Polish water sampling stations have reported no mesitylene pollution
but still record excessive oxygen saturation
the Polish authorities plan to announce the results of autopsies carried out on fish
Some of those affected by the die-off have react angrily: “You had two weeks to find the culprit
You had two weeks to warn people!” residents in Zielona Góra shouted at Deputy Environment Minister Jacek Ozdoba during a press conference
Poland is often criticised for not reporting incidents on the upper Oder
But the German authorities have also “failed to deal with the problems that have arisen within a reasonable period of time,” as the mayor of Frankfurt Oder
Members of the opposition Civic Platform (PO) criticise the failures of the PiS-led central government
which in turn points to the responsibility of the PO-led local governments
It is clear that a cover-up like the one in Oława is only possible in the long term if state authorities at all levels support or at least tolerate it
The tragedy highlights the deep-seated nationalism of all the establishment parties and its practical effects
Eighteen years after Poland’s accession to the European Union
there is obviously neither functioning cross-border environmental protection
nor an efficient exchange of information between municipalities along the border
Green politicians from the state of Brandenburg point the finger at Poland
speaking of a “failure to provide information” and call on the federal government in Berlin to intervene
Green politicians from Poland point the finger at the PiS in Warsaw
this natural disaster reveals the bankruptcy of the whole capitalist system
the greed for profits of a company that discharges toxic substances into the river and can rely on the subservience of the local authorities because it promises tax revenues and jobs—or greases politicians’ palms
the state authorities demonstrate the same criminal indifference that has been seen in the coronavirus pandemic and the climate change catastrophe
neither the German nor the Polish government has initiated central measures against the environmental disaster on the Oder
neither to dispose of the presumably toxic carcasses in a coordinated manner
nor to stop the further contamination of the river
There is not even a joint effort to coordinate the fight against the natural disaster and its consequences
The consortium comprising Budimex and Ferrovial Agroman has been chosen by Poland’s General Directorate for National Roads and Motorways to build a new section of Expressway S3
for 638.7 million zlotys (more than 153.6 million euro)
The project includes the construction of a 22.6-km section of road with two lanes in each direction between the towns of Nowa Sól and Legnica
Budimex, Ferrovial Agroman’s Polish subsidiary, will also build a centre for new technologies for Polish company Beyond.pl in Poznań
and the other for technological infrastructure (power supply systems
This contract is worth 102 million zlotys (more than 24.5 million euro)
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KERHONKSON — The gnews is gnot good for Chomsky
the 13.5-foot icon that stands astride at Homegrown Mini Golf and Kelder's Farm on Route 209 has reigned supreme as the world's tallest garden gnome
Chomsky has been out-talled by not one but two newcomers: a 15-footer from Iowa State University and an even taller 17-foot
But the woman who made what he is — artist-in-residence Maria Reidelbach — had plenty to say
She got the news about a month ago and she's seen the competition
"The Polish one is cute — that's all I have to say about him."
The Polish gnome is also made of fiberglass
which raises a serious question in Reidelbach's mind
require that a subject be composed of the same material as its inspiration — a giant candle has to be made of wax
The Polish model was built by a fabricating company in a place called Nowa Sol that specializes in creating life-size animals
A number of local artists and fans have proposed ways that Chomsky can retain his title
including Photoshopped images of him in platform shoes and retrofitted to be the world's largest bobble-head
Chomsky has had a towering influence on a number of local musicians
has dismissed the nouveau giants as mere "pretenders."
might be the only musician anywhere to have written a song ("Bucket Truck") in praise of Route 209
Brown sounded a melancholy though defiant note
"He still gazes west with that confidence and joy that he has always exuded
I would wager that Chomsky would kick the ass of any of these other gnomes
Reidelbach is content to pursue her latest plan: convincing other local businesses and farms to make their properties as gigantically identifiable as Chomsky has made Kelder's
visitors will flock to "The Valley of the Giants."
2024 was the hottest year in the world - including in Europe
But there were huge differences between East and West
What needs to be done to combat further climate change is the same for all regions of the world
Last year, the climate in Europe was characterized by a pronounced east-west divide: It was too wet in the west compared to the long-term average, and too dry in the east. At the same time, it was too hot in a large central region, including Germany. This is according to the 2024 State of the Climate in Europe report
a joint report by the EU Copernicus program's climate change service and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
at least 335 people lost their lives in severe storms and floods
Europe is the fastest-warming continent on the planet. 2024 was officially the warmest year on record for Europe. Learn more about the #StateOfClimate in Europe: https://t.co/Tp20lEuc6Z pic.twitter.com/orWt2hWfPp
It was already clear that the European continent and the entire world experienced the highest average temperature since records began in 2024
the global temperature in 2024 was 1.55 degrees above the industrial level (1850-1900)
2024 was also the warmest year since measurements began
as reported by the German Weather Service (DWD)
Europe is the continent that is warming the fastest
Copernicus cites several reasons for this: the high proportion of land in the Arctic
which is warming faster than all other regions of the world
These are tiny particles in the air that reflect sunlight and can thus prevent heat
Copernicus and WMO now report on the pronounced east-west contrast with "dry
sunny and extremely warm conditions in the east and cloudier
wetter and less warm conditions in the west"
Western Europe experienced one of the ten wettest years since 1950
with rivers there carrying more water than the long-term average
they carried significantly less water due to extreme drought
"Heat-stress days and tropical nights are increasing in Europe"
South-eastern Europe experienced the longest heatwave with 13 days and a record number of 23 tropical nights
The temperature did not fall below 20 degrees at night
individual stations such as Heidelberg usually measure a handful of tropical nights a year at most
The European seas were also too warm: the average sea surface temperature was 0.7 degrees higher overall than the long-term average
and in the Mediterranean it was even plus 1.2 degrees
Extreme rainfall and flooding were more pronounced than at any time since 2013
They led to the disaster in the Spanish province of Valencia and the surrounding area in October
Storm Boris brought heavy rainfall and flooding to parts of Germany
Climate-damaging greenhouse gases from fossil fuels must be reduced
said Stefan Rahmstorf from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research
"The growing share of renewable energies
which now accounts for 45 percent of our electricity
It is crucial for our future that we resist the short-sighted interests of the fossil fuel lobby and implement the European climate targets without delay."
"Every additional fraction of a degree in temperature rise matters because it increases the risks to our lives
our economy and our planet," said WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo
Anthony Nlebem
Anthony Nlebem
and FIFA/CAF Accredited Journalist with over a decade of sports reporting.Has a deep understanding of the Nigerian and global sports landscape and skills in delivering comprehensive and insightful sports content
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the son of former Super Captain Nwankwo Kanu has joined Polish third-tier side Górnik Polkowice
marking the start of his professional football career
The 19-year-old Nigerian’s move to Górnik Polkowice was announced by KS Dozamet Connector Nowa Sól
who stated that he joined from another Polish team without disclosing the length or financial details of the contract
attended the signing ceremony and expressed her pride and excitement on social media
You have put in so much work and dedication to your craft
Sean Kanu departed the club without making a senior appearance
He was previously featured in the popular “Kanu Nkwankwo and Sons” video
a follow-up to his father’s iconic “Papilo” Peak Milk advertisement
© 2025 Leadership Media Group - All Rights Reserved
© 2025 Leadership Media Group - All Rights Reserved
Polish club KS Dozamet Connector Nowa Sól have announced the signing of impressive Nigerian midfielder Sean Kanu for an undisclosed fee
The 19-year-old is walking in his father's footsteps as he officially begins his professional footballing career in Europe
KS Dozamet Connector did not disclose the financial details or the deal
but the young Kanu has joined from another Polish team
Sean Kanu has signed a deal to join KS Dozamet Connector Nowa Sól. Photo: amarakanu.Source: InstagramHis mother Amara was in attendance during the signing and unveiling ceremony.
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Sean is a product of English club Watford but he departed the Hornets without making his senior debut.
His dad Kanu remains an icon of African football having won the CAF Player of the Year Award on two occasions - 1996 and 1999.
Read also
declares himself fit for World Cup qualifiers
He won several major titles in Europe including the UEFA Champions League (1995) with Ajax Amsterdam
Kanu was part of the Nigerian dream team that won gold in the football event at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, All Nigeria Soccer reports
KS Dozamet Connector Nowa Sól have announced the signing of Sean Kanu. Photo: amarakanu.Source: InstagramHe was a member of the Nigeria U17 team that conquered the world at the 1993 FIFA U17 World Cup in Japan.
'Papilo,' as Kanu is fondly called, exhibited remarkable talent, leadership, and success at both club and international levels, which secured him this honour.
Sean Kanu did not play in his competitive debut for KS Dozamet Connector Nowa Sól on Sunday afternoon. The striker was left out of the matchday squad for the game against Debem.
Well wishers have taken to the social media to congratulate the family. Legendary goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama said:
Read also
How Spanish club blocked Super Eagles star from 23-man squad for World Cup qualifiers
Only recently, Kanu Nwankwo appeared to be a strong member of the 30BG fan base as suggested by a video spotted in the online community
The football legend appeared to be among fans and music lovers who latched on to a teaser of a new song dropped by Davido some weeks ago
The Arsenal legend was seen inside his car dancing happily and mouthing the lyrics of the yet-to-be-released track
Legit.ng earlier reported that Nigerian football fans have responded to a post on the Super Eagles X handle, asking them to name their favourite captain ever.
Read also
More worries for Eric Chelle as another Super Eagles winger faces injury setback
Nigeria has produced some of the best skippers in football and a few even went on to become captain at their respective clubs
Following the retirement of Vincent Enyeama from international football in 2015
the then-head coach Sunday Oliseh named Musa as the captain of the team
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