Press release | September 24, 2021
Kilchberg, September 24, 2021 - Lindt & Sprüngli Group announces that as of January 2022, the two Italian subsidiaries Lindt & Sprüngli S.p.A and Caffarel S.p.A. will be integrated through a merger by absorption procedure. The operation is aimed at building stronger synergies between the two organizations, enhancing them under a unified business and industrial strategy, while preserving their unique distinctive traits and strong local dimension.
The merger will strengthen the already existing collaboration between the two organizations: some processes will be integrated to increase cooperation, others will remain separate to guarantee the quality, innovation plan, and development boost of Caffarel and LINDT. The new set-up will facilitate sharing of know-how, resources, and processes, with the objective to preserve the excellence characterizing LINDT and Caffarel. The production site of Luserna San Giovanni will continue to be fundamental for the Group and will remain part of an investment program introducing new technologies and processes aimed at enhancing innovation, while preserving the distinctive high quality and traditional traits.
The merger was identified as the most suitable solution to ensure the continuity of Caffarel’s business and a more solid future on employment, given the economic difficulties experienced by Caffarel S.p.A. within the past years also in light of the recent pandemic.
This decision to further integrate confirms Lindt & Sprüngli’s Group commitment to continue investing in both brands, Caffarel and LINDT, as key assets for the Group, consolidating their presence in the Italian market, and preserving the features which make the two brands unique in their own ways.
In the coming months, the Lindt & Sprüngli Group will continue to work along with all involved parties to complete legal procedures and define the necessary steps leading to the integration, looking at the most suitable solutions with Union organizations to support involved employees in the transition and keep the excellent relations to trade and business partners.
Media Contact | +41 44 716 22 33 | media@lindt.com
About Lindt & Sprüngli
Lindt & Sprüngli has been enchanting the world with chocolate for over 175 years. The traditional Swiss company with its roots in Zurich is a global leader in the premium chocolate sector. Today, Lindt & Sprüngli produces quality chocolates at its 11 factories in Europe and the USA. Its products are sold by 29 subsidiaries and regional offices, in around 500 of its own shops as well as via a network of more than 100 independent distributors around the globe. With more than 13,500 employees, the Lindt & Sprüngli Group reported sales of CHF 4.02 billion in 2020.
About Caffarel
Caffarel represents the excellence of the chocolate and hazelnuts manufacturing expertise in Italy. Paul Caffarel put Turin on the map of the world’s famous chocolate capitals in 1826. He created one of the most memorable Italian specialties, the GIANDUIOTTO created by carefully mixing and blending together cocoa powder, sugar and Piedmont’s famous “round and gentle” variety of hazelnuts. His artisanal expertise and careful selection of high-quality ingredients created an intense and velvety soft chocolate delicacy. He turned Caffarel into Italy’s symbol for chocolate and hazelnut expertise. Even today, after almost 200 years the finest chocolate and the best hazelnuts are the most important ingredients for the Caffarel uniqueness, and it is appreciated in Italy and worldwide for its unquestionable good quality, the meticulous attention to detail and the extraordinary packaging. Since 1998 Caffarel is part of the Lindt & Sprüngli Group.