Archive

Confiserie Riegelein wins the Fairtrade Audience Award 2016

Cadolzburg, 29 January 2016

Since 2011, Confiserie Riegelein has played a pioneering role in the use of fair-trade cocoa. Sustainability is not only part of the mission statement for the market leader in the chocolate confectionery business, but also a matter close to the heart of the owner family. Now its long-standing commitment has been rewarded: on 15 January, Confiserie Riegelein won the online vote for the 2016 Fairtrade Public Award. ‘We are delighted that more and more people appreciate our commitment to fair trade and share it with us,’ says Peter Riegelein, Managing Partner of Confiserie Riegelein. In recent years, sustainability has developed from a niche topic to an important purchasing criterion. Especially on occasions such as Easter and Christmas, many consumers reflect on values such as quality and fair trade and therefore consciously opt for products with seals from sustainability programmes when shopping. ‘More and more consumers are recognising the value of fair trade and are fully behind it. Our seasonal products with the Fairtrade Cocoa Programme seal have been very well received,’ says Michael Gahbauer, Managing Director of Marketing and Sales at Confiserie Riegelein. ‘We are not only receiving a clearly positive response to our commitment from end consumers, but also increasingly from retailers.’

The long-standing partnership with Fairtrade began in 2011, when the Cadolzburg-based family business switched its hand-decorated confectionery products on the German market to Fairtrade chocolate. At the start of the Fairtrade cocoa programme in 2014, Riegelein was one of the first contractual partners and set itself the goal of completely converting the cocoa requirements for the Riegelein brand to the Fairtrade cocoa programme by the start of the Christmas 2016 season. This makes Riegelein the first broad-based chocolate brand manufacturer to switch all of its more than 750 branded products to Fairtrade cocoa, both in Germany and in more than 50 foreign markets.

‘Fair trade is an issue for the future, and every company must find a responsible and sustainable solution within its area of expertise. It is our aim to offer ecologically, economically and socially responsible products and thus actively support the idea of fairly traded goods,’ emphasises Peter Riegelein.

Press Contact
pure brands – public relations for brands
Dr. Stefanie Wehnert
Pickhuben 4
20457 Hamburg, Germany
Phone.: 040/ 300 69 68 0
Fax: 040/ 300 69 68 8
E-mail: stefanie.wehnert@pure-brands.de

Hans Riegelein & Sohn GmbH & Co. KG
Joern Schumann, Head of Marketing
Tiembacher Straße 11-13
90556 Cadolzburg, Germany
Phone: +49 30 981 961 921
E-mail: Joern.Schumann@riegelein.de

Confiserie Riegelein: Products under the Riegelein brand soon to be 100 per cent fair-trade cocoa

Innovative new products at ISM 2016 also with the Fairtrade Cocoa Programme seal

Cadolzburg, 29 January 2016
As a pioneer of fair trade in the chocolate sector, the Riegelein brand is continuing to expand its Fairtrade cocoa programme as planned. As part of the third and final phase of the project, the remaining third of the product range will be converted so that 100 per cent of Christmas products will be marketed under the Riegelein brand with the Fairtrade Cocoa Programme logo in time for the festive season this year. Riegelein will then be the first manufacturer in this sector to have fully equipped its branded products with the Fairtrade sustainability programmes both in Germany and in over 50 foreign markets.

At ISM 2016, Confiserie Riegelein will also be presenting its latest innovations for Christmas 2016 and Easter 2017 (Hall 3.2, Stand C11/E10), such as an artistic limited-edition Christmas calendar and the new Easter range with photorealistic bunny motifs, which will also bear the Fairtrade Cocoa Programme logo.

Christmas calendar opens doors for more sales
For Christmas, the family-run company from Cadolzburg is launching a limited edition, high-quality Advent calendar (200g, 9.99 euros RRP). The artistically designed calendar contains 25 fine chocolate bars that surprise with a new motif every day. Behind the 6th door is an additional five euro voucher for the online confectionery chocri. A further highlight from Confiserie Riegelein is the impulsive chimney calendar (280g, 7.99 euros RRP) with a sweet inner life, designed in a likeable comic style. In addition to 24 fine 5g chocolate motifs, a delicate confectionery figure (160g) is hidden in the centre of the chimney for even more chocolate enjoyment.

Artful expansion:
Artline collection ensures stylish sales
Just in time for the festive season, Confiserie Riegelein is also expanding its Artline range and presenting various new products in festive, artistic packaging. As little treats and sweet gifts, they are intended to provide strong sales impulses in the retail trade. The handy Artline Advent box (120g, €2.99 RRP) contains delicate 5g minis in a Father Christmas design. In addition, a high-quality Christmas tree gift box (128g, €3.99 RRP), filled with 8g chocolate bars made from fine milk chocolate (33% cocoa) in three different designs and decorated with a festive red bow, complements the popular Artline collection. The range is completed by a Confiserie Father Christmas in a decorative gift box in festive red and gold (225g, RRP €4.99).

Animal sales with the Easter bunny
Riegelein also has new products for the 2017 Easter season. The company is presenting four gift eggs with different bunny motifs on a white background (70g, RRP €0.99). The range is complemented by an attractive gift box modelled on the outline of an egg and adorned with a decorative brown bow (128g, €3.99 RRP). Here, too, the characteristic white background is combined with the cute bunny motifs. Each box is filled with melt-in-the-mouth 8g chocolate bars made from fine milk chocolate (33% cocoa).

All new products will bear the Fairtrade Cocoa Programme logo. The programme is committed to ensuring that the raw material cocoa is produced and traded under the familiar Fairtrade conditions, such as stable and fixed minimum prices. With the programme, Fairtrade aims to further increase sustainable cocoa production under fair conditions and thus achieve even more for the farms and their communities.

Riegelein is one of the leading suppliers of seasonal chocolate products. Under the motto ‘Chocolade creativ’ (creative chocolate), the themed specialist is constantly coming up with new occasions and offers one of the most extensive ranges on the market with over 750 different items.

Press Contact
pure brands – public relations for brands
Dr. Stefanie Wehnert
Pickhuben 4
20457 Hamburg, Germany
Phone.: 040/ 300 69 68 0
Fax: 040/ 300 69 68 8
E-mail: stefanie.wehnert@pure-brands.de

Hans Riegelein & Sohn GmbH & Co. KG
Joern Schumann, Head of Business Development
Tiembacher Straße 11-13
90556 Cadolzburg, Germany
Phone: +49 9103 505 325
E-mail: Joern.Schumann@riegelein.de

ISM 2015: Confiserie Riegelein continues to focus on fair trade and sustainability

Expansion of the Fairtrade cocoa programme with new products and planned conversion of the existing range

Cadolzburg, 30 January 2015
The Riegelein brand is starting the second phase of its complete conversion to the Fairtrade Cocoa Programme: in time for the 2016 Easter season, not only will the second third of the range be converted under the Riegelein brand as planned, but the certified portfolio will be further expanded with additional new products bearing the Fairtrade Cocoa Programme logo.

Novelty for record-breaking sales growth: Riegelein launches giant chocolate Easter egg
Confiserie Riegelein, innovation driver for seasonal chocolate products, is once again setting new standards: in Hall 3.2, Stand C11/E10, the themed specialist will be presenting its new giant decorative egg at this year’s ISM from 1 to 4 February. With a weight of one kilogramme and a height of around 40cm, it is one of the largest chocolate Easter eggs in Germany (1kg, €12.99 RRP). The giant decorative egg complements the successful Riegelein ‘Mein Ostertisch’ range and is available for the 2016 Easter season in an attractive gift box in pink or green. The new product is expected to generate record-breaking sales growth for retailers.

The ‘Mein Ostertisch’ range will also be supplemented by three different gift eggs and attractive decorative buckets: the gift eggs (350g, RRP €3.49) are deliciously filled with various chocolates. The gift buckets (230g, €4.99 RRP) contain a colourful chocolate bunny and colourful chocolate eggs. All items are available in pink, green or yellow and will bear the Fairtrade Cocoa Programme logo together with the existing products from 2016.

‘YOU’ snack box: Sweet growth thanks to emotional consumer appeal
Due to the high demand from retailers and consumers, Riegelein is also expanding its ‘YOU’ range. The gift box in a vibrant and colourful design contains chocolate balls in three different flavours (150g, €3.49 RRP). Sweet fillings of nougat, cocoa and vanilla cream can be found in a coating of melt-in-the-mouth chocolate. As one of the pioneers of fair trade in the chocolate sector, Riegelein also uses cocoa from the Fairtrade Cocoa Programme for this new product. The snack box is available in the ¼ range together with the ‘YOU’ gift heart, which was successfully launched last year, and the ‘YOU’ gift heart metal tin.

For additional purchase incentives and an even more attractive and emotional appearance at the POS, Riegelein is offering the ‘YOU’ and ‘Mein Ostertisch’ pallets completely in colour and in the design of the individual subranges, so that the boxes are now also coloured in addition to the base.

The Cadolzburg-based family business is one of the leading suppliers of seasonal chocolate products. Under the motto ‘Chocolade creativ’, the themed specialist is constantly coming up with new occasions and, with over 750 different items, offers one of the most extensive ranges on the market.

Press Contact
pure brands – public relations for brands
Dr. Stefanie Wehnert
Pickhuben 4
20457 Hamburg, Germany
Phone: 040/ 300 69 68 0
Fax: 040/ 300 69 68 8
E-mail: stefanie.wehnert@pure-brands.de

Hans Riegelein & Sohn GmbH & Co. KG
Joern Schumann, Head of Marketing
Tiembacher Straße 11-13
90556 Cadolzburg, Germany
Phone: +49 30 981 961 921
E-mail: Joern.Schumann@riegelein.de

Classic with a new look, improved recipe and ‘Vegetarian’ logo-Logo

Relaunch of the fondant and jelly range at Confiserie Riegelein

Cadolzburg, 30 January 2015
Fondant and jelly specialities from Confiserie Riegelein have been part of Easter and Christmas for decades! Now the successful classics have been relaunched. Just in time for ISM, the themed specialist is presenting the range in a new, vibrant packaging design with optimised recipes and new flavours. The modernised, colourful packaging is intended to provide additional incentives to buy and encourage impulse purchases. In addition, the range, which has been free from artificial flavourings and artificial colourings for several years, now also bears the ‘Vegetarian’ logo of the European Vegetarian Union. Because the products are made without gelatine, they are ideal for the ever-growing target group of vegetarians.

Fruity to bite into: In the fondant range, the Easter bunnies and Christmas tree decorations in the self-service 10-pack (150g, RRP €0.79) also come in the new flavours raspberry, orange, lemon and pineapple. Riegelein is now using 25% fruit juice for the jelly specialities – for an even more aromatic taste experience and a further ‘vitamin boost’ for sales.

Press Contact
pure brands – public relations for brands
Dr. Stefanie Wehnert
Pickhuben 4
20457 Hamburg, Germany
Phone: 040/ 300 69 68 0
Fax: 040/ 300 69 68 8
E-mail: stefanie.wehnert@pure-brands.de

Hans Riegelein & Sohn GmbH & Co. KG
Joern Schumann, Head of Marketing
Tiembacher Straße 11-13
90556 Cadolzburg, Germany
Phone: +49 30 981 961 921
E-mail: Joern.Schumann@riegelein.de

Riegelein acquires majority stake in chocri

Berlin/Cadolzburg, 22 Oct 2014

The long-established confectionery company Riegelein has acquired over two-thirds of the shares in Germany’s largest online confectioner, chocri. Both companies expect the merger to create significant synergies in the production and distribution of creative chocolate concepts, as well as to drive sustainable growth.

Riegelein is among the market leaders in seasonal chocolate products across Europe. The company generates an annual turnover of around €120 million, employing up to 900 people at peak season. The aim of the acquisition is to strengthen Riegelein’s online business and its activities in the growing market of so-called “mass customisation”.

“I’m very pleased that our merger with chocri has enabled us to enter the growth market of e-commerce. The Berlin-based online specialist is a perfect fit for us, both in terms of team spirit and business orientation. We are expecting valuable interactive innovation impulses that will allow us to sweeten people’s everyday lives with creative chocolate ideas in an even more targeted way. This step will allow us to strengthen and expand our portfolio precisely where we have identified further growth potential,” said Peter Riegelein, Managing Partner of Confiserie Riegelein.

At chocri, the integration into the Riegelein Group is expected to yield considerable synergies in purchasing, production, and logistics. The Berlin-based company employs up to 100 people during peak season and recently recorded annual revenues of just under €3.5 million. It will continue to operate independently within the Riegelein Group and will still be managed by co-founder Michael Bruck.

“I’m delighted that we have gained a strong partner for the future in Riegelein. I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to my long-standing companion Franz Duge for the journey we’ve taken together and, of course, for our shared success. He is now leaving the company to pursue new challenges. We are now opening a new chapter and, together with Riegelein, will take the next step in the development of our business. This also includes the opportunity to further expand and enhance our product range,” said Michael Bruck, Managing Partner of chocri GmbH.

Through the merger of these two creative confectionery specialists, expertise in the production of occasion-based, high-quality, and personalised chocolate products is being combined with their distribution across multiple channels.

About Riegelein
Riegelein, a specialist in themed products, is one of the leading suppliers of seasonal chocolate items in Germany and across Europe. Headquartered in Cadolzburg near Nuremberg, the company focuses primarily on chocolate figures and sweet gifts for various occasions such as Easter, Christmas, Halloween, football events, and heartfelt moments. With over 750 different moulds and figures, Riegelein is renowned for its exceptional creativity. Each year, 18,000 tonnes of chocolate are produced across three different production sites. The company supplies more than 50 countries, including Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, as well as the USA, Canada, Australia, South Africa, and China. Since the early 1980s, Riegelein has been producing its own chocolate base in-house to ensure the highest quality. In addition, this medium-sized family business is considered one of the pioneers of Fairtrade seasonal chocolate products.

About chocri
chocri GmbH is the market leader in customised chocolate bars in German-speaking countries and Germany’s largest personalised online confectioner. The company produces and sells chocolates, pralines, and other sweets. Every customer can create their own personal chocolate from a wide range of options. Headquartered in Berlin, the company was founded in 2008. In 2009, WirtschaftsWoche awarded chocri the Founders’ Prize. The company supplies private and business customers across Europe, with Germany as its core market. Since 2014, chocri has been majority-owned by the Riegelein Group. This owner-managed company produces and ships in a climate-neutral manner. In addition, chocri operates as a fulfilment service provider, managing online shops for other well-known branded companies, such as www.meinecoke.de, www.meinecoke.de/bundesliga, www.drinx.de or www.shop.ritter-sport.de. chocri demonstrates its ongoing social commitment through its support of the aid organisation DIV-Kinder e.V.

The following image material is available for free use exclusively in connection with reporting on this press release here.

Michael Bruck and Peter Riegelein ©chocri

Peter Riegelein and Michael Bruck ©chocri

Press Contact(s)
Michael Hempel
Press Spokesperson – chocri GmbH
Plauener Str. 163/165, Haus M
13053 Berlin, Germany
Phone: 030 981 961 9-­25
Fax: 030 981 961 9-­19
E-mail: presse@chocri.de

Dr. Stefanie Wehnert-­Görres
Press Spokesperson – Confiserie Riegelein
pure brands – public relations for brands
Pickhuben 4
20457 Hamburg, Germany

Phone: 040 300 69 68 0
Fax: 040 300 69 68 8
E-mail: stefanie.wehnert@pure-brands.de

Hans Riegelein & Sohn GmbH & Co. KG
Joern Schumann, Head of Marketing
Tiembacher Straße 11-13
90556 Cadolzburg, Germany
Phone: +49 30 981 961 921
E-mail: Joern.Schumann@riegelein.de

Confiserie Riegelein – a pioneer with the new “Fairtrade Cocoa Programme” by TransFair e.V.

Presentation of the launch range at ISM – Complete product transition planned by 2017

Cadolzburg, 26 January 2014

At ISM 2014 (Hall 3.2 / Stand C11/E10), Confiserie Riegelein is once again making a strong statement for fair trade and sustainability: As a pioneer in the confectionery industry, Riegelein is presenting seasonal chocolate products that are part of the new „Fairtrade Cocoa Programme“. This means that the raw material cocoa is produced and traded under the well-known Fairtrade conditions, such as stable and guaranteed minimum prices. With the new programme, Fairtrade aims to further promote sustainable cocoa production under Fairtrade conditions and thereby generate even greater impact for the farms and their communities. In this way, small-scale farmers in the producing countries gain access to additional important markets and benefit from fair, long-term trading relationships with manufacturers.

“We are very pleased to be part of the new Fairtrade Cocoa Programme right from the start. It is extremely important to us to actively promote sustainability and fair trade, and to further expand our commitment to Fairtrade,” emphasises Peter Riegelein, Managing Partner of Confiserie Riegelein. As early as 2011, Confiserie Riegelein was the first in the market to switch an entire product range to Fairtrade standards. At that time, the entire segment of hand-decorated confectionery products under the Riegelein brand received the well-known Fairtrade seal, as both cocoa and raw cane sugar from fair trade sources were used.

“The new Fairtrade Cocoa Programme is the perfect addition to our existing Fairtrade product range. It allows us to further improve social conditions in the cocoa-producing countries and expand our raw material sourcing in line with Fairtrade standards,” says Michael Gahbauer, Managing Director of Marketing and Sales at Riegelein. “This marks another important step for us towards fair trade.”

By 2017, the medium-sized family business from Cadolzburg aims to convert all cocoa sourcing for its entire Riegelein-branded range to the Fairtrade Cocoa Programme.

ISM 2014: Presentation of launch range 
At the launch of the new Fairtrade Cocoa Programme, around one third of the cocoa used for Riegelein-branded products for the 2014 Christmas and 2015 Easter seasons will already be sourced from sustainable production. The transition will initially begin in Germany, but the cocoa used for Easter bunnies, Santa figures and similar items for international production is also planned to be sourced from Fairtrade-certified producers in the medium term. As one of the market leaders in seasonal chocolate products, Riegelein is making its commitment to Fairtrade visible: Riegelein products such as hollow figures, mixed bags, or solid figures — including the popular 5g minis — will feature information indicating participation in the Fairtrade Cocoa Programme.

The trend towards fair trade products in Germany continues to rise steadily. In the first half of 2013, total sales of Fairtrade products reached 33,742 tonnes, representing a 45 per cent increase compared to the same period the previous year (source: TransFair e.V.). The perceived high quality of Fairtrade products, as well as their strong credibility, play a major role in consumers’ purchasing decisions.

Press contact
pure brands – public relations for brands
Dr. Stefanie Wehnert
Pickhuben 4
20457 Hamburg, Germany
Phone: 040/ 300 69 68 0
Fax: 040/ 300 69 68 8
E-mail: stefanie.wehnert@pure-brands.de

Hans Riegelein & Sohn GmbH & Co. KG
Joern Schumann, Head of Marketing
Tiembacher Straße 11-13
90556 Cadolzburg, Germany
Phone: +49 30 981 961 921
E-mail: Joern.Schumann@riegelein.de

New sales boost for Riegelein

Theme specialist teams up with the company Produktwelt to take the sweet merchandise market in food retail by storm

Cadolzburg, 26 January 2014

Home advantage for your sales! With the new football-themed products from Confiserie Riegelein, you’re sure to score points with your customers: from north to south, from west to east – at the start of the 2014 Christmas season, theme specialist Riegelein is sending a collection of chocolate fan merchandise onto the pitch. Hamburger SV, Borussia Dortmund, Hertha BSC or FC Bayern Munich: the new chocolate Santas, Easter bunnies, advent calendars and footballs feature designs from a total of 27 different clubs.

These strong-selling trend items offer retail partners across Germany the chance to win over customers with their local Bundesliga clubs, making them especially well-suited for regional marketing. The range includes primarily licensed products from the first division, but popular second and third division teams are also part of the line-up.

Fairness first: As a partner of the new Fairtrade Cocoa Programme, Riegelein sources cocoa for its sweet fan merchandise in accordance with Fairtrade standards, the world’s largest and most recognised social certification system.

Top-fit champions on the shelf
Football is always in season. That’s why the range includes Easter bunnies in top form as well as confident Santas (150g, RRP €2.99 – €3.49). A perfect line-up for top-league sales also includes the 5-piece gift set with little elves or bunnies made from 30% milk chocolate (60g, RRP €2.99 – €3.49). For Christmas, an advent calendar with 24 small football-themed chocolates made from premium milk chocolate, each individually wrapped in foil, is also available (120g, approx. RRP €4.99). A great way to bridge the festive, often match-free, period…

It’s a goal! The over 35cm tall fan gift egg, also available especially for Easter, is well stocked with 16 chocolate footballs (350g, approx. RRP €6.99 – €7.99). Available all year round are clip bags filled with 18 x 7g chocolate footballs – a perfect last-minute gift or treat to share while watching the match, and a guaranteed hit (approx. RRP €3.99 – €4.49).

Starting from the 2014/15 season, the companies Produktwelt and Confiserie Riegelein will be joining forces as a strong new team under the name Fanshop Sweets. While Produktwelt continues to supply specialist stores and official club fan shops, Confiserie Riegelein will exclusively market the sweet fan merchandise in food retail. With this, the innovation-driven company is expanding its existing football range in terms of colours and shapes. “Almost everyone is passionate about the beautiful game. Football is the world’s most popular sport and brings together young and old, men and women, and all social classes,” says Peter Riegelein, Managing Partner of Confiserie Riegelein. “With our new licensed range, we’re reaching a very broad target audience. The time is right for a strong appearance in the supermarket arenas of the retail sector.”

The family-owned company based in Cadolzburg is one of the leading suppliers of seasonal chocolate products. As a theme specialist, it continues to find new occasions under the motto “Chocolade creativ”, offering one of the most extensive product ranges on the market with over 750 different items.

Press contact
pure brands – public relations for brands
Dr. Stefanie Wehnert
Pickhuben 4
20457 Hamburg, Germany
Phone: 040/ 300 69 68 0
Fax: 040/ 300 69 68 8
E-mail: stefanie.wehnert@pure-brands.de

Hans Riegelein & Sohn GmbH & Co. KG
Joern Schumann, Head of Marketing
Tiembacher Straße 11-13
90556 Cadolzburg, Germany
Phone: +49 30 981 961 921
E-mail: Joern.Schumann@riegelein.de

Confiserie Riegelein awarded gold once again

Success across the board: The long-established family business Riegelein impressed at this year’s DLG Quality Evaluation by winning either a gold or silver medal for every product submitted. Just in time for Christmas, products such as the advent calendar with premium milk chocolate, the original “St. Nicholas”, and Riegelein’s Fairtrade Santa Claus were awarded gold.

In total, more than 40 confectionery products made of chocolate, fondant, and jelly impressed the independent expert jury of the DLG Confectionery Test with their exceptional product quality. Outstanding results in sensory quality criteria such as appearance, aroma, and taste led to 34 gold and 11 silver medals. Once again, the DLG food testing confirms the high standards the Cadolzburg-based family company sets for both the chocolate and design quality of its products.

As one of the leading suppliers of seasonal chocolate items, Riegelein has been producing its own chocolate in-house since the early 1980s to guarantee the highest quality. Only a carefully selected range of high-quality raw materials is processed into delicately melting chocolate and subjected to the strictest ongoing quality controls.

Press contact
pure brands – public relations for brands
Dr. Stefanie Wehnert
Pickhuben 4
20457 Hamburg, Germany
Phone: 040/ 300 69 68 0
Fax: 040/ 300 69 68 8
E-mail: stefanie.wehnert@pure-brands.de

Hans Riegelein & Sohn GmbH & Co. KG
Joern Schumann, Head of Marketing
Tiembacher Straße 11-13
90556 Cadolzburg, Germany
Phone: +49 30 981 961 921
E-mail: Joern.Schumann@riegelein.de

Lindt loses Gold Bunny legal dispute

Federal Court of Justice rules definitively in favour of Confiserie Riegelein
Cadolzburg, 28 March 2013

Just before Easter, Lindt & Sprüngli has lost its legal dispute against Confiserie Riegelein over the Gold Bunny. Today, the Federal Court of Justice (BGH) rejected Lindt & Sprüngli’s latest appeal against the denial of leave to appeal, thus bringing a final end to the years-long legal battle.

“We are, of course, very pleased that this case has finally reached a happy ending for us after around 12 years,” emphasised Peter Riegelein, Managing Partner of Confiserie Riegelein. “We were convinced from the start that we were in the right. After all, the seated bunny wrapped in gold foil has been a fixed part of our seasonal chocolate range for more than half a century. It’s now irrevocably clear that it can remain just as it is. In this case, justice has prevailed.”

The proceedings began when Lindt & Sprüngli registered its golden seated bunny as a three-dimensional trademark for Germany, among other countries, in the year 2000. Since then, the company had sought court rulings to prohibit Confiserie Riegelein and several other competitors from selling their seated, side-facing chocolate bunnies in gold foil. However, the seated bunny in gold foil is a long-standing design that has been used by various manufacturers since the 1950s. While many, especially smaller producers, succumbed to pressure from the Swiss corporation and were forced to withdraw their products, Confiserie Riegelein fought back. “Lindt is by no means the inventor of the Gold Bunny. Seated, side-facing chocolate bunnies in gold foil have a long history. This is a traditional design form that has been used by many different companies for over half a century. At the time, plain gold foil was a commonly used packaging material,” said Peter Riegelein.

The case occupied the courts for a total of 12 years, as the Swiss company lodged repeated appeals against four rulings — all of which were in favour of Confiserie Riegelein — and pursued the matter through every possible legal avenue.

“This case was fundamentally about whether long-standing forms such as the traditionally used seated bunnies in gold foil can be retrospectively monopolised through trademark registration, and whether the continued sale of well-established and older products can then be legally prohibited,” explained lawyer Daniel Terheggen from the law firm Lindner Blaumeier, which represented Confiserie Riegelein. “In that sense, this really is a landmark case in trademark law. We are very satisfied with the outcome.”

Press contact
pure brands – public relations for brands
Dr. Stefanie Wehnert
Pickhuben 4
20457 Hamburg, Germany
Phone: 040/ 300 69 68 0
Fax: 040/ 300 69 68 8
E-mail: stefanie.wehnert@pure-brands.de

Law firm Lindner | Blaumeier
Herr RA Daniel Terheggen
Dr.-Kurt-Schumacher-Str. 23
90402 Nuremberg, Germany
Phone: 0911/ 2550 888 0
Fax: 0911/ 2550 888 50
E-mail: info@norispatent.com

Hazelnuts at Riegelein now sourced directly from the Franconia region

Riegelein relies on locally sourced ingredients for its hand-crafted nut chocolate!

You only know the quality of a nut once it’s cracked! That’s what farmer Fritz Stiegler has learned over the course of seven years, with plenty of courage and perseverance. Today, he looks proudly upon the first major hazelnut harvest in Franconia. When it comes to hazelnut cultivation in Germany, he has truly done pioneering work on his farm in Gonnersdorf near Cadolzburg. While hazelnuts have traditionally been imported mainly from global market leader Turkey, he took the bold step in 2006 to begin cultivating them on his four-hectare farm – now one of the largest hazelnut plantations in the region.

Thousands of hazelnut trees and 50 different varieties are being tested in this year’s harvest to determine which grow best in Franconia and which offer the most in terms of yield and flavour. Fritz Stiegler is confident that the taste of his locally grown hazelnuts is noticeably superior! However, there are still twelve processing steps from machine harvesting to hand-checked quality control before the nuts are ready to eat.

Just a few kilometres away, the whole hazelnuts are then blended with hand-crafted chocolate to create a delicately melting yet satisfyingly crunchy treat. In doing so, Riegelein relies on local ingredients for the production of its premium chocolate products and meets the growing consumer demand for regional sourcing.