Heidi Chocolat takes over German manufacturer Schwermer Confiserie | Progresiv
Heidi Chocolat Group AG signed a contract to take over Schwermer Dietrich Stiehl GmbH, producer of Königsberger pralines, located in Bad Wörishofen. With this transaction, Heidi increases its production capacity, strengthening its competence in the field of premium pralines and enhances its presence in the German and Austrian markets. 
"By taking over Schwermer and expanding our team with experienced employees of Schwermer Confiserie, in the future we can offer our customers more high-quality products under the Heidi brand" said Gerald Neumair, Chairman of the Board of Heidi Chocolat Group AG.
Confiserie Schwermer production unit becomes independent subsidiary within the group and a sister company of Heidi Heidi Chocolat S.A. Romania. With this transaction, new possibilities export activity carried on by the Romanian unit.
"Heidi Chocolat S.A. Romania will benefit from a wide range of products and expansion of the manufacturing capacity for new products. Also, the German factory creates for the already existing Heidi products the possibility of improved market access in Germany» confirms Peter Mueller, CEO of Heidi Chocolat S.A.
"Taking over Schwermer means for Heidi Chocolat a better positioning in terms of the economic and strategic challenges ahead. We are also very happy that we have Erwin Vondenhoff as Schwermer General Director, who previously successfully led Heidi Chocolat S.A. Romania. We will further build on the existing strengths, based on a comprehensive development plan. Also through the international sales channels we will implement new marketing concepts. Moreover, Schwermer production capabilities will allow us to accelerate the process of innovation of the Heidi brand" added Gerald Neumair.
Present in 50 countries, Heidi Chocolat SA was founded in 1994 by Swiss family Laederach, owner of Confiseur Laederach AG. In April 2013, Heidi became part of KEX Confectionery SA.
In Romania, Heidi Chocolat owns a factory in Pantelimon and has over 350 employees. The company ended 2015 with a turnover of 98.8 million lei and a net profit of 1.3 million lei, according to data reported to the Ministry of Finance.
