Läderach

Läderach is a Swiss chocolate and confectionary manufacturer based in Ennenda (Glarus). It was founded in 1962 in Glarus by Rudolf Läderach (1929–2013). His patent for the process of manufacturing hollow, ready-made chocolate truffles revolutionized the fine chocolate industry. In 2004 Läderach decided to enter the consumer market by acquiring Merkur Confiserie AG, a well-established chocolate retailer. In 2012 the company was further vertically integrated towards end-consumers when it opened its first factory in Bilten in the Alps region. As of 2020 Läderach operates 100 stores in 35 countries.

Läderach (Schweiz) AG
TypeAktiengesellschaft
IndustryConfectionery
Founded1962
FounderRudolf Läderach
HeadquartersEnnenda, Switzerland
Number of locations
100
Key people
Johannes Läderach (CEO and President)
Elias Läderach
David Läderach
ProductsChocolate
RevenueCHF120 Million (2016)
Number of employees
1,300[1] (2022)
SubsidiariesConfiseur Laederach Deutschland GmbH & Co KG
Merkur Confiserien AG
WebsiteOfficial website
Footnotes / references
[2]
Chocolate barks, Läderach's best known product.

History

Foundation

In 1970 Rudolf Läderach invented and patented his "process to manufacture thin-walled hollow balls for truffles", which simplified and improved the production of truffles. In 1994, he handed over the operational management of the company to his second son Jürg Läderach, who served as the vice president of the board of directors.

Under the leadership of Jürg Läderach, the chocolate maker acquired Olten-based Merkur Confiserie AG, a well-established chocolate and coffee retailer in 2004 to sell its products directly to consumers; having been a supplier to caterers and other chocolate manufacturers for over half a century. Läderach rebranded all Merkur locations.[3]

In 2015, 750 employees worked for Läderach.[4] By 2021, the number grew to 1,000 and reached 1,300 by 2022.[5]

International expansion

In 1981 Läderach opened its first foreign subsidiary, Confiseur Läderach GmbH & Co KG. The first international consumer branches opened in 2019: two branches in Toronto (Canada) and one branch in New York (United States). Läderach plans to open up to 35 stores in the United States.[6] As of 2020, Läderach operates 100 stores across five continents.

In 2018, the eldest son, Johannes Läderach, took over management of the company from his father Jürg. Elias Läderach, a trained confectioner and chocolatier, also joined the management team. In addition, since the beginning of 2021, the third son David Läderach has been in charge of the company's German business.[7][8]

In 2020, Läderach opened a visitor center and museum at the Bilten factory, called the "House of Läderach".[9] The company announced in February 2021 that it was opening 30 outlets in the United States, having taken over sites and retail space from Godiva Chocolatier.

Criticism

Jürg Läderach and his son Johannes have been involved in the Christianity for Today association for many years, which has been heavily criticized for its radical views (rejection of same-sex partnerships, opponents of abortion).[10] Further, management staff of Läderach company are high-ranking members of the CFT association.[11] In addition, Jürg and Johannes Läderach are co-organizers of the "March for Life", a political demonstration against the right to abortion. Jürg Läderach has also been fighting against homosexual pride and pornography for years.[12] Swiss and German LGBT groups call for a boycott of the Läderach Products.[13] Swiss International Air Lines ended their collaboration with Läderach in November 2019. Johannes Läderach publicly distanced himself from homophobic statements, stating that he would never want to hurt or discriminate against people because of their sexual orientation.[14][15]

See also

References
  1. "Läderach opening more U.S. Stores".
  2. Läderach (Schweiz) AG. CHE-105.952.960. Handelsregisterauszug, retrieved 26 September 2023.
  3. Bieger, Thomas (2015). Marketing Concept - The St. Gallen Management Approach. Stuttgart: UTB. pp. 15–18. ISBN 978-3-8252-4464-4.
  4. Bloch, Ghislaine (9 July 2015). "Le chocolatier Läderach accroît sa présence en Suisse romande". Le Temps. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
  5. "Läderach opening more U.S. stores". Chain Store Age. Retrieved 2022-08-03.
  6. Cheng, Andria (11 December 2020). "Swiss Chocolatier Läderach Opens NYC Flagship — One More Sign Brick-And-Mortar Retail Isn't Dead". Forbes. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
  7. "Läderach schliesst Generationenwechsel… | glarus24.ch". www.glarus24.ch (in German). 2021-12-22. Retrieved 2023-09-26.
  8. Ehrbar, Stefan (2021-12-22). "Generationenwechsel: Bei Läderach übernehmen die Söhne". St. Galler Tagblatt (in German). Retrieved 2023-09-26.
  9. "House of Läderach: Schweizer Schokoladengenuss live erleben". Glarus 24. 10 November 2020. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
  10. "Christianity for today - Team". Vorstand CFT. 2019-09-12.
  11. Natalia Widla (2019-08-05). "Von Plastikembryos, Islamophobie und Luxusschokolade: der "Marsch fürs Läbe"". Onlinezukunftsmagazin das Lamm.
  12. "Der Schoggi-König kämpft gegen Abtreibung und Homosexuelle". Tagesanzeiger Artikel. 2019-09-12.
  13. Aufruf zum Schokoladen-Boykott: Schwule und Lesben wettern gegen Schweizer Chocolatier Läderach (Wirtschaftswoche 23 January 2020)
  14. Rotzinger, Ulrich (2020-09-15). ""Ich dachte, das gehe schon vorbei"". Blick (in Swiss High German). Retrieved 2022-08-03.
  15. ""Wir lassen Begabungen freien Lauf"". Die Weltwoche (in German). 2020-12-23. Retrieved 2022-08-03.


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