An independent chocolate maker has entered liquidation following a bitter dispute with a key supplier. South African company Beyers Chocolate has been in business for almost 40 years after being founded by Kees Beyers – a Belgian immigrant to the country in the early eighties.
According to the Financial Mail, the company entered the liquidation process, because of a commercial dispute over exclusivity with South African retail giant Woolworths, which is one of its biggest single customers. Woolworth is the biggest client of Beyers Chocolates, who also supplies Clicks, Shoprite, Pick n Pay, Spar, Massmart and other retailers with its expanded Sweetie Pie and other ranges. It also does contract manufacturing for Mondelez International…