August Storck KG (German pronunciation:[ˈaʊɡʊstˈʃtoːɐ̯k]), doing business as Storck, is a German confectionery producer with headquarters in Berlin, owned by Axel Oberwelland. The main facility of Storck in Germany is in Halle, North Rhine-Westphalia, with another located in Skanderborg, Denmark, and one in Ohrdruf, Germany. In 2022, the company was the second largest confectionery producer in Germany in terms of sales, and number 13 in the world.[1][2]
History
Foundation 1903–1950
The company was founded in 1903 by August Storck, who later changed his name to August Oberwelland.[3] He was the owner of the Oberwellandhof in Werther (Westphalia) and opened the Werther candy factory. With only three employees, the factory supplied candy to retailers in the surrounding area. The First World War had a negative impact on development.[4]
In 1921, the management of the company was passed on to Hugo Oberwelland, the youngest son of the founder, who was ill at the time. In 1934, the "1 Pfennig Riesen" came onto the market, which according to the company was the first branded candy in Germany. By 1937, the number of employees had risen to 71, products were distributed throughout the country, and in 1938 the first branch opened in Schötmar. After the Second World War additional investments were made.[4][5]
From 11 September 1942 to 7 September 1943, Storck operated a Frauenarbeitslager (Women's labor camp) in Werther. The camp was part of the Strafgefangenenlager Oberems (Oberems prison camp).[6]
Move to Halle and introduction of brands 1950–1990
After the war, a new factory was built in neighbouring Halle (Westphalia), which was considered to be an "industrial plant in the countryside" when it was built.[7] By reforesting the area, voluntary compensatory measures were implemented, which since then has been made a requirement in planning approval procedures and development plans in Germany. The factory received a rail connection to the Haller Willem railway line. Storck bought its own tank wagons for the transport of raw materials and closed freight wagons for the transport of finished goods.[4]
In 1949, the "Storck 2 Pfennig Riesen" came onto the market. In 1950, Storck introduced a performance-related bonus for employees. In the course of the Wirtschaftswundejahren (Economic miracle), both the number of employees and the production volume increased. In 1953, exports and in 1954, chocolate production began. In 1958, Storck introduced social benefits for employees. The second generation change took place in 1971, when Klaus Oberwelland took over the management of the company. In 1975, Storck introduced a company pension plan.[4][5]
From 1962 onwards, the company developed many of its most important brands to this day within two decades with nimm2 (1962), Merci (1965), Campino (1966), Werther's Original (1969, sold in Germany until 1998 under the name Werthers Echte) and Toffifee (1973). Storck later took over the Dickmann company (1981) and developed the Knoppers brand (1983).[4][5]
Recent developments 1990–present
In 1988, Storck took over the traditional company Bendicks of Mayfair from Winchester in England. In 1993, a new production facility was built in Ohrdruf, Thuringia.[8][9] Further market launches followed, including merci Crocant (1994), merci Pur (1995) and nimm2 Lachgummi (1996). In 1998, the company was restructured, and management was moved to Berlin.[10]
The third generation change took place in 2003. Axel Oberwelland has been chairman of the management of August Storck KG since then, which is the parent company for the national subsidiaries.[11][12] Another market launch since the change was Chocolat Pavot (2003).[13]
In 2005, Storck acquired the rights to the Rachengold and Atemgold brands from the Karlsruhe company Ragolds. August Storck KG's turnover was 1.2 billion euros that year.[14]
For its 100th anniversary, Storck developed a new company logo and slogan "Part of Your World". In addition, the name Storck has been printed on every brand packaging since then.[15][16]
From 2009, the previously independent sales companies Storck, Merci and Dickmann were gradually merged and a new pricing system was introduced.[17]
After Axel Oberwelland became CEO of Storck in 2003,[18] brand management at the company changed from a purely single-brand strategy (one brand with one product) to numerous products under the same brand. Examples of this are the new variants of Werthers Original with Eclair, Caramel and Vanilla Cream.[19] In the chocolate sector, numerous new variants were also launched under the merci Petits or the core merci brand.[20]
On 1 January 2014, long-time managing director Robert Mähler left the company.[21]
In 2023, the company built a logistics centre near the A33 and an additional factory entrance so that arriving trucks no longer have to drive through Halle (Westphalia).[22][23]
As of 2025, Storck continues its business operations in Russia despite international sanctions imposed after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.[24][25] This decision has been met with criticism, as many companies have ceased operations in Russia in response to the conflict, which has caused immense civilian suffering and destruction in Ukraine.[26] Storck has not only maintained its presence in the Russian market but has also reportedly increased its chocolate exports to the country, with a 51% rise in export value from March 2022 to March 2023.[27] Storck, according to critics, prioritizes financial gain over morality, undermining international efforts to isolate Russia financially and press it to end its aggression. The company’s continued sales in Russia have raised ethical concerns about the responsibility of the company during times of humanitarian crises.[26]
Brands
These are the most well-known products and the corresponding year in which they launched:
Bazooka (1970s to late 1980s under license from the Topps Company)[28]
^ abc"Startseite". www.westfalen-regional.de (in German). Retrieved 20 December 2024.
^Isernhinke, Karina (2015). Das Strafgefangenenlager Oberems: das nationalsozialistische Lagersystem im Gebiet des heutigen Kreises Gütersloh. Veröffentlichungen aus dem Kreisarchiv Gütersloh (1. Aufl ed.). Gütersloh: Verl. für Regionalgeschichte. ISBN978-3-89534-893-8.
^Kaufmann, Matthias; von Frentz, Clemens (9 February 2004). "Axel Oberwelland: Der Herr der Bonbons". www.manager-magazin.de (in German). Retrieved 16 January 2025.
