Meltin Factory, a producer of frozen fruit-based snacks, is expanding its operations in the Republic of Moldova. The company has invested nearly EUR 800,000 in developing its production facility to date and plans to invest an additional EUR 200,000–300,000 to complete its production line and increase capacity. The total investment is expected to reach approximately EUR 1.0–1.1 million in less than one year. The factory currently employs nearly 40 people, while around 500,000 product units have already been sold since operations began.
Founded by Kevin Wiessler and Nicolas Dimitrescu, two French entrepreneurs, Meltin Factory develops and manufactures food products in the Republic of Moldova for its own brands, as well as for private-label and co-development partnerships.
Following the initial launch and commercial validation of its products on the French market, the company is now entering a new phase focused on expanding production, entering the Moldovan retail market, and developing distribution across several international markets.
From an unused facility to an export-oriented factory
Meltin Factory expanded its production operations fast. After identifying a suitable location and taking over an existing legal entity, the company began extensive renovations and adaptations of the premises.
The identified brownfield site, which had not been used for more than eight years, is now being reconfigured and adapted by the company to comply with the health, safety, environmental, and operational requirements applicable to food production.
A significant share of the investment has remained within the local economy. According to the company, approximately half of the funds invested so far were allocated to renovation work carried out by Moldovan companies. Meltin Factory also relies on local accounting, legal and other professional services.
“So far, we have invested almost EUR 800,000, and we still need approximately EUR 200,000–300,000 to complete the production line and increase our capacity. I believe the total investment will reach approximately EUR 1.0–1.1 million, all within less than one year,” says Kevin Wiessler, Co-founder of Meltin Factory.
The economic impact of the project therefore extends beyond the direct investment in the factory itself. Nearly 40 people currently work at the production facility, while the project has also generated business for local construction companies and professional service providers.
Two brands developed and manufactured in Moldova
Meltin Factory specialises in developing and manufacturing frozen fruit-based snacks. Two proprietary brands — NUBO and KIZZ — have been developed at the company’s facility in Chișinău.
NUBO offers frozen fruit coated in various chocolate varieties, while KIZZ focuses on frozen fruit with a crunchy, tangy coating. According to the company, products under both brands are developed, manufactured and packaged in the Republic of Moldova.
Protecting the company’s intellectual property was among the priorities from the very beginning. One of Meltin Factory’s first steps after establishing its operations was to register its trademark in Moldova with the State Agency on Intellectual Property (AGEPI), providing legal protection for the brand as the company prepared to enter international markets.
The company can manufacture products under its own brands as well as develop private-label products for retailers and concepts created jointly with commercial partners.
Meltin Factory works with different types of fruit, including raspberries, grapes, blueberries, mango, bananas and pineapple, and develops formats for retail, the food industry and the food-service sector.
The first commercial results came quickly. According to the company’s co-founder, Meltin Factory has already sold almost 500,000 product cups.
France as the first market, followed by international expansion
Exports have been a priority for Meltin Factory from the outset, with France selected as the first market due to the founders’ experience and established relationships with local distributors. “We are French, we know the French market, and we have strong relationships with distributors there. It was the most practical way to launch operations, secure the first customers, begin generating revenue, and make the production process operational,” explains Kevin Wiessler. Following this initial market validation, the company has entered what its co-founder describes as its “second phase — expansion,” which also includes the Moldovan market, retailers like Linella, where the factory is shipping their products as you read this article, but also others to come.
Internationally, the company is advancing discussions and partnerships across several markets. Cooperation with Austrian retailers is expected to begin in autumn 2026, while the company is also exploring opportunities in the United Kingdom, the Nordic markets, Romania, Germany, and Hong Kong, including both branded and private-label production. With negotiations ongoing, Meltin Factory expects to export its products to five to eight countries next year.
Why Moldova?
Meltin Factory’s decision to establish production in the Republic of Moldova was driven by a combination of factors, including the founders’ previous business experience in the country, access to suitable industrial infrastructure, a competitive business environment and Moldova’s agricultural potential.
But for the founders, the decision goes beyond the operational advantages of doing business in the country. “I believe Moldova offers a very attractive fiscal environment, and people work well here. I have been in Moldova for two years, but I feel as though I have been here for ten years. I feel genuinely welcome. I also believe there are many strong business opportunities,” says Kevin Wiessler.
The company currently employs nearly 40 people directly, while the broader economic footprint of the investment has been larger from the outset. Before production began, the development of the factory involved lawyers, architects, designers, construction teams and other local specialists. According to the company, around 100 people have contributed to the project, directly or through contracted services, generating business for local companies and related tax contributions to Moldova’s state budget.
The next step: more raw materials sourced from Moldova
One of the most significant elements of Meltin Factory’s long-term strategy is its intention to integrate more locally sourced raw materials into its production chain.
Although some of the fruit used in production is currently imported, Meltin Factory has already started purchasing raspberries grown in Moldova.
In the longer term, the company is also considering investing in its own raspberry plantation.
The objective is to integrate as much of the value chain as possible in Moldova: growing fruit, processing and freezing it, using the resulting raw material in products sold under Meltin Factory’s own brands or private labels, and ultimately exporting the finished products.
“To remain competitive and maintain control over our business, we would like to integrate as many stages of the process as possible. If we can grow our own fruit, process it, transform it into frozen raw material, use it in products under our own brand or private labels and then sell the final product, we can control the entire supply chain,” explains the co-founder.
Such a model could give the company greater control over raw-material availability and costs while also creating additional economic activity and employment in agriculture and food processing.
This direction is supported by Moldova’s agricultural base. In 2025, the Republic of Moldova produced approximately 629.4 thousand tonnes of fruit, nuts and berries, 6% more than in the previous year. Crop production accounted for 74% of the country's total agricultural output.
The sector also has a significant export presence. In 2025, vegetables and fruit accounted for 11.4% of Moldova’s total merchandise exports, while 67.5% of all Moldovan merchandise exports were directed to the European Union. Total merchandise exports reached approximately USD 3.78 billion.
In 2025 alone, Moldova exported to the European Union approximately 36.1 thousand tonnes of apples, 46.3 thousand tonnes of plums, 34.1 thousand tonnes of table grapes and 3.1 thousand tonnes of cherries.
For the food industry, this agricultural base creates opportunities to move beyond exporting raw materials and towards local processing and the development of finished products and brands with higher added value.
Invest Moldova Agency – a One Stop Shop for investors
The successful attraction of Meltin Factory as an investor in the Republic of Moldova is the result of close collaboration between Invest Moldova Agency and the French-Moldovan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIFM). Through the joint efforts during the investor’s decision-making process, the two institutions provided tailored guidance, facilitated access to relevant public and private stakeholders, and ensured a smooth onboarding into Moldova’s business ecosystem.
Throughout Meltin Factory’s development process, Invest Moldova Agency has supported the company in identifying solutions to expand its investment and in connecting it with relevant institutions and instruments within Moldova’s business ecosystem. The Agency provided information and guidance on support programmes available to small and medium-sized enterprises, facilitated access to tailored professional advice from the Organisation for Entrepreneurship Development (ODA), and connected the investor with local financial institutions to explore financing solutions for the company’s expansion.
The French-Moldovan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIFM) played a complementary role by leveraging its network of French and Moldovan businesses, offering market intelligence, and facilitating initial contacts with local partners and authorities. This joint effort ensured that Meltin Factory received comprehensive, coordinated support from the earliest stages of consideration through to operational launch.
Invest Moldova Agency operates as a One Stop Shop for investors, providing a single point of contact for companies considering, launching or expanding investments in the Republic of Moldova. Its services range from information on investment locations, suppliers and available incentives to coordination with public authorities, B2B and B2G matchmaking and post-investment assistance.
“Meltin Factory is an example of an investment that creates value at several levels: capital invested in production, jobs, contracts for local companies and products manufactured in Moldova for international markets. For us, it is important that support for an investor does not end once a company enters the market. We continue working with investors when they expand, seek financing, identify local suppliers or explore new export markets. This is what our One Stop Shop approach is about — helping turn an investment intention into an operational project as efficiently as possible and supporting that investment as it continues to grow in Moldova,” says Mihai Burunciuc, Deputy Director of the Invest Moldova Agency.
For the Republic of Moldova, the significance of such investments goes beyond increasing production volumes. They create an opportunity to transform the country’s agricultural potential into finished products developed and manufactured locally, with the capacity to compete on international retail and distribution markets.