Cloetta

Cloetta is a Swedish confectionery company whose business is built around the manufacture and sale of branded candy, chocolate, chewing gum, pastilles and related confectionery products. Its roots extend to 1862, when the brothers Christoph, Nutin and Bernard Cloëtta established a steam-powered chocolate factory in Denmark under the name Brødrene Cloëtta. The business subsequently expanded into Sweden and Norway, creating the Scandinavian base from which the modern company developed. Nutin Cloëtta established a Swedish subsidiary in Malmö in 1873, followed by a Norwegian subsidiary in Oslo in 1896. Over time, Cloetta became associated with a broad collection of local and regional confectionery labels rather than with a single product category. Its portfolio includes the Cloetta, Läkerol, Candyking, Jenkki, Kexchoklad, Malaco, Polly, Sportlife and Red Band brands. These brands cover packaged sweets, chocolate products, chewing gum, pastilles and pick-and-mix confectionery, allowing the company to serve both everyday impulse purchases and larger sharing occasions. A major corporate phase began when Cloetta was combined with Fazer in the company known as Cloetta Fazer. Disputes between the principal owners, the Swedish Svenfelt-Trotzig family company Malfors Promotor and the Finnish family-owned Karl Fazer, eventually led to an agreement in June 2008 to separate the businesses. Cloetta became independent again later in 2008 and was listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange on 8 December of that year. In December 2011, Cloetta announced that it would merge with Leaf, another confectionery business. The combination broadened Cloetta's brand portfolio and manufacturing footprint. Cloetta operates across its principal Nordic markets as well as the Netherlands, Germany and the United Kingdom. The company has six factories in five countries; the two largest facilities identified in reference material are located in Levice, Slovakia, and Ljungsbro, Sweden. Its presence in pick-and-mix confectionery was strengthened through the acquisition of Candyking, a supplier operating in the United Kingdom and Nordic countries. The transaction was finalized in 2016, with the bulk-candy business described as acquired by Cloetta in 2017. Cloetta's positioning is that of a multi-brand confectionery group with strong local heritage. Rather than presenting one uniform global identity, it manages established brands that retain recognition in particular countries and consumer segments. This approach combines Scandinavian heritage with a broader European operating model. As of the latest supplied reference material, Cloetta remains a publicly listed confectionery company. Henri de Sauvage-Nolting left the chief executive role in September 2024 and was succeeded by Katarina Tell.

Cloetta traces its history to 1862, when Christoph Cloëtta and his brothers Nutin and Bernard founded Brødrene Cloëtta, a Danish chocolate manufacturer operating a steam chocolate factory. The enterprise established an early Scandinavian confectionery foundation and later extended its activities beyond Denmark. In 1873, Nutin Cloëtta created a Swedish subsidiary in Malmö. A Norwegian subsidiary followed in Oslo in 1896, demonstrating the company’s early regional orientation. The modern corporate structure was shaped by later combinations and ownership changes. Cloetta became part of Cloetta Fazer, a confectionery group whose major owners included Malfors Promotor, associated with the Svenfelt-Trotzig family, and the Finnish family-owned company Karl Fazer. Prolonged legal and ownership disputes between these parties culminated in an announcement in June 2008 that Cloetta Fazer would be divided. Cloetta regained its independence later that year and was listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange on 8 December 2008. The company then pursued renewed expansion. In December 2011, Cloetta announced a merger with Leaf. The combination brought together additional confectionery brands and operations, supporting the development of a broader portfolio serving several European markets. Cloetta subsequently strengthened its position in pick-and-mix confectionery through Candyking. The acquisition was finalized in 2016, while reference material also describes Cloetta as having bought Candyking’s bulk-candy business in 2017. Candyking’s operations in the United Kingdom and Nordic countries complemented Cloetta’s existing regional brand network. Cloetta’s operating model is based on a portfolio of recognized brands rather than a single master brand. Important names include Läkerol, Cloetta, Candyking, Jenkki, Kexchoklad, Malaco, Polly, Sportlife and Red Band. Their categories span pastilles, chocolate, candy, chewing gum and pick-and-mix products. This portfolio gives the group exposure to different consumption occasions, from individually packaged impulse products to shared bags and retail pick-and-mix formats. The company sells its products primarily in Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Germany and the United Kingdom. It has six factories in five countries, with the largest facilities identified in the supplied reference material located in Levice, Slovakia, and Ljungsbro, Sweden. Cloetta remains listed on Nasdaq Stockholm. In September 2024, Henri de Sauvage-Nolting left the CEO role and was replaced by Katarina Tell, marking a further leadership transition in the company’s continuing development as a European confectionery group.

• 2024

  CEO transition

  [1]Cloettaen.wikipedia.org

  Katarina Tell replaces Henri de Sauvage-Nolting as chief executive after his departure in September.

• 2016

  Candyking acquisition finalized

  [1]Cloettaen.wikipedia.org

  Cloetta completes its acquisition of Candyking, strengthening its pick-and-mix and bulk-candy activities.

• 2011

  Merger with Leaf announced

  [1]Cloettaen.wikipedia.org

  Cloetta announces a combination with confectionery company Leaf.

• 2008

  Cloetta separates from Cloetta Fazer

  [1]Cloettaen.wikipedia.org

  Ownership disputes lead to the division of Cloetta Fazer, after which Cloetta becomes independent again.

• 2008

  Stock-market listing

  [1]Cloettaen.wikipedia.org

  Cloetta is listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange on 8 December.

• 1896

  Norwegian subsidiary established

  [1]Cloettaen.wikipedia.org

  Cloëtta establishes a subsidiary in Oslo, adding Norway to its early Scandinavian network.

• 1873

  Swedish subsidiary established

  [1]Cloettaen.wikipedia.org

  Nutin Cloëtta establishes a Swedish subsidiary in Malmö, extending the business into Sweden.

• 1862

  Brødrene Cloëtta is founded in Denmark

  [1]Cloettaen.wikipedia.org

  Christoph, Nutin and Bernard Cloëtta establish a Danish chocolate manufacturer with a steam-powered chocolate factory.

A Nordic-rooted, multi-brand confectionery group focused on established local and regional brands across candy, chocolate, gum, pastilles and pick-and-mix formats.

• Pastilles

  Läkerol

  Läkerol is one of Cloetta’s established pastille brands. It represents the company’s presence in compact, individually packaged confectionery designed for refreshment and on-the-go consumption.

• Confectionery

  Cloetta

  The Cloetta brand serves as a core confectionery identity within the group’s portfolio. It is associated with packaged candy and chocolate products sold through the company’s Scandinavian and wider European distribution network.

• Pick-and-mix confectionery

  Candyking

  Candyking is Cloetta’s pick-and-mix and bulk-candy brand and business. Its acquisition expanded Cloetta’s presence in loose confectionery retail, particularly in the United Kingdom and Nordic markets.

• Chewing gum

  Jenkki

  Jenkki is a chewing-gum brand included in Cloetta’s regional portfolio. It contributes a gum-focused offering alongside the group’s candy, chocolate and pastille lines.

• Chocolate

  Kexchoklad

  Kexchoklad is a chocolate confectionery brand in Cloetta’s portfolio. It represents the company’s chocolate offering within its broader range of branded sweets and snack-oriented confectionery.

• Candy

  Malaco

  Malaco is a major candy brand associated with Cloetta’s Nordic and European confectionery activities. Its inclusion gives the group a broad packaged-candy presence across multiple retail markets.

• Chocolate confectionery

  Polly

  Polly is one of Cloetta’s established confectionery brands and forms part of its chocolate and candy portfolio. It is managed alongside the company’s other locally recognized branded products.

• Chewing gum

  Sportlife

  Sportlife is a chewing-gum brand within Cloetta’s portfolio. It complements Jenkki and the group’s other gum products while reinforcing Cloetta’s category breadth.

• Candy

  Red Band

  Red Band is a candy brand operated within Cloetta’s multi-market portfolio. It adds another regional packaged-sweets proposition to the company’s range of confectionery labels.

• 2016

  Candyking acquisitionM&A

  Background

  Candyking supplied pick-and-mix confectionery in the United Kingdom and Nordic countries, offering Cloetta an opportunity to increase its presence in bulk candy.

  Action taken

  Cloetta finalized the acquisition of Candyking in 2016.

  Aftermath

  The transaction strengthened Cloetta’s position in pick-and-mix and bulk-candy retail, with reference material also describing the business as acquired in 2017.

  Source

• 2011

  Merger with LeafM&A

  Background

  Cloetta sought to broaden its confectionery operations and brand portfolio after returning to independent ownership.

  Action taken

  Cloetta announced a merger with Leaf in December 2011.

  Aftermath

  The combination expanded Cloetta’s European confectionery platform and manufacturing base.

  Source

• 2008

  Separation from Cloetta FazerStrategy

  Background

  Legal and ownership disputes between the principal owners of Cloetta Fazer created pressure to divide the combined confectionery company.

  Action taken

  The parties announced in June 2008 that Cloetta Fazer would be split, and Cloetta subsequently resumed independent operations.

  Aftermath

  Cloetta returned as an independent company and completed a Stockholm listing in December 2008.

  Source

• 2024

  Katarina Tell succeeds Henri de Sauvage-Nolting as CEO[1]Cloettaen.wikipedia.org

  Leadership change

  Henri de Sauvage-Nolting left the chief executive position in September 2024 and Katarina Tell became his successor.

• 2016

  Cloetta completes Candyking acquisition[1]Cloettaen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Cloetta finalized the acquisition of Candyking, a pick-and-mix confectionery supplier active in the United Kingdom and Nordic countries.

• 2011

  Cloetta announces merger with Leaf[1]Cloettaen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Cloetta announced that it would combine with confectionery company Leaf, expanding the group’s brand and production base.

• 2008

  Cloetta becomes independent after separation from Fazer[1]Cloettaen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Following ownership disputes between the principal owners of Cloetta Fazer, the combined company was separated and Cloetta became independent again.

• 2008

  Cloetta listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange[1]Cloettaen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Cloetta returned to independent public-company status and was listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange on 8 December 2008.

1. 1Cloettaen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Cloetta official websitecloetta.com