Storck
German confectionery producer behind brands including Werther's Original, Toffifee, merci, nimm2 and Knoppers.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Storck, formally August Storck KG, is a privately owned German confectionery producer headquartered in Berlin. The company traces its origins to 1903, when August Storck established a small candy factory in Werther, Westphalia. It began as a regional supplier with only a few employees and gradually developed a national distribution network, helped by the creation of branded products and postwar investment in manufacturing. The company’s identity is built less around a single consumer-facing master brand than around a portfolio of widely distributed confectionery brands. Its best-known products include Werther’s Original caramel candy, Toffifee caramel-and-hazelnut confectionery, merci boxed chocolate, nimm2 fruit-flavored candy, Riesen chocolate-covered caramel, Knoppers wafer snacks, Mamba chewy candy, Campino and Dickmann’s chocolate-coated marshmallow treats. Storck also produces private-label and licensed products, including chocolate made for Aldi and products associated with its WIHA subsidiary. Storck expanded its product range substantially from the 1960s onward. nimm2 appeared in 1962, followed by merci in 1965, Campino in 1966, Werther’s Original in 1969 and Toffifee in 1973. The company later added or acquired further brands, including Knoppers, Dickmann’s and Bendicks. Its product strategy subsequently moved from a strictly single-product, single-brand model toward broader brand families, with multiple flavors, formats and sub-lines under established names such as Werther’s Original, merci and nimm2. Manufacturing and logistics have developed across several European locations. Storck’s principal German production site is in Halle (Westphalia), while other facilities referenced for the group include Ohrdruf in Thuringia and a site in Skanderborg, Denmark. Management was moved to Berlin in 1998, and the company operates through national subsidiaries and international sales networks. The group’s products are sold in many countries, with some names adapted for local markets; Toffifee, for example, has been marketed as Toffifay in the United States. The Oberwelland family has remained central to the business. Hugo Oberwelland assumed management in 1921, Klaus Oberwelland took over in 1971, and Axel Oberwelland became chairman of the management of August Storck KG in 2003. In 2022, Storck was described as Germany’s second-largest confectionery producer by sales and the world’s thirteenth-largest confectionery company, although the company is privately held and does not publish the level of financial disclosure associated with a listed corporation. Storck presents its brands through themes of familiarity, indulgence, gifting, sharing and product quality. Its scale and portfolio breadth give it exposure to everyday candy, chocolate, seasonal confectionery, snack products and private-label manufacturing. At the same time, the business has faced scrutiny over historical labor practices, land clearing and supply-chain transparency, chocolate-sector sustainability assessments, political donations and its continued commercial activity in Russia after the invasion of Ukraine. These issues form part of the modern public discussion around the company alongside its continuing international confectionery operations.
History
August Storck founded the business in 1903 in Werther, Westphalia, initially operating a small factory that supplied nearby retailers. The First World War constrained development. In 1921, management passed to Hugo Oberwelland, the founder's youngest son. Storck expanded its reach during the 1930s, introducing the branded 1 Pfennig Riesen candy in 1934 and opening a branch in Schötmar in 1938. During the Second World War, Storck operated a women's labor camp at Werther from September 1942 to September 1943. After the war, the company invested in a new factory in neighboring Halle, designed as an industrial facility integrated into a rural setting. The site received a rail connection and used company-owned rolling stock for transporting raw materials and finished goods. Storck introduced a 2 Pfennig Riesen product in 1949, employee performance bonuses in 1950, exports in 1953 and chocolate production in 1954. Social benefits followed in 1958, and a company pension plan was introduced in 1975. The postwar economic expansion supported significant growth in employment and output. A major period of brand creation began in the 1960s: nimm2 launched in 1962, merci in 1965, Campino in 1966, Werther's Original in 1969 and Toffifee in 1973. The company later acquired Dickmann in 1981 and developed Knoppers in 1983. Other products and extensions followed, including chocolate-covered Riesen, nimm2 Lachgummi, merci Crocant, merci Pur and Chocolat Pavot. Klaus Oberwelland assumed management in 1971. Storck expanded internationally through the acquisition of Bendicks of Mayfair in England in 1988 and through additional production capacity. A new factory was built in Ohrdruf, Thuringia, in 1993. In 1998, the corporate structure was reorganized and management moved to Berlin. The company acquired rights to the Rachengold and Atemgold brands in 2005 and continued to broaden its range through variants and sub-brands. Axel Oberwelland became chairman of the management of August Storck KG in 2003, marking the third generation of family leadership. Around this period, the company introduced a new corporate logo and the slogan 'Part of Your World'; the Storck name was subsequently placed on brand packaging. Under Axel Oberwelland, Storck increasingly shifted from a one-brand/one-product approach toward brand families containing multiple formats and flavors. Sales companies associated with Storck, merci and Dickmann were gradually combined from 2009, alongside a new pricing system. In the 2020s, Storck continued to invest in its German production and logistics infrastructure. The company undertook projects affecting land around the Halle site, including forest clearing that prompted activist occupations in 2020 and 2021. It later described ecological mitigation measures, including plans involving the Warmenau river and adjacent land and the restoration of the Laibach stream. The company also attracted criticism over chocolate-sector sustainability performance, supply-chain transparency and its continued operations in Russia after the invasion of Ukraine. Despite these controversies, August Storck KG remains an active private confectionery group with a broad international brand portfolio.
- 2023
Halle logistics expansion
[1]Storck builds a logistics center and an additional factory entrance near the A33.
- 2009
Sales operations begin to merge
[1]Previously separate sales companies associated with Storck, merci and Dickmann are gradually consolidated.
- 2005
Rachengold and Atemgold rights are acquired
[1]Storck acquires rights to the two brands from Karlsruhe-based Ragolds.
- 2003
Axel Oberwelland takes leadership
[1]Axel Oberwelland becomes chairman of the management of August Storck KG.
- 1998
Management moves to Berlin
[1]A corporate restructuring transfers management functions to Berlin.
- 1993
Ohrdruf factory opens
[1]Storck builds a new production facility in Ohrdruf, Thuringia.
- 1988
Bendicks of Mayfair is acquired
[1]Storck acquires the traditional English confectionery company Bendicks of Mayfair.
- 1983
Knoppers is developed
[1]Storck develops the Knoppers wafer snack brand.
- 1981
Dickmann is acquired
[1]Storck adds the Dickmann's chocolate-coated marshmallow brand to its portfolio.
- 1973
Toffifee launches
[1]Storck introduces the caramel, hazelnut and chocolate confectionery later marketed as Toffifay in the United States.
Products and positioning
An internationally oriented, privately owned confectionery group positioned around trusted, familiar brands, indulgent treats, gifting and broad retail availability.
Caramel candy · 1969
Werther's Original
Storck's internationally recognized caramel brand, launched in 1969 and originally sold in Germany as Werthers Echte. The range has expanded beyond the original hard caramel to include formats and variants such as Eclair, Caramel and Vanilla Cream.
Chocolate and caramel confectionery · 1973
Toffifee
A molded confection combining caramel, hazelnut and chocolate. Introduced in 1973, it is sold internationally and is known as Toffifay in the United States.
Boxed chocolate · 1965
merci
A chocolate gifting brand launched in 1965. Storck has developed multiple extensions, including merci Crocant, merci Pur and merci Petits, allowing the brand to cover assorted, small-format and filled chocolate occasions.
Fruit-flavored candy · 1962
nimm2
A fruit-flavored candy brand introduced in 1962. Its later portfolio includes nimm2 soft and nimm2 Lachgummi, a chewy product line launched in 1996.
Wafer snack · 1983
Knoppers
A layered wafer snack brand developed by Storck in 1983. It forms part of the company's snack-oriented confectionery portfolio and has received prominent sports-related ambassador activity in Germany.
Chocolate-covered caramel · 1934
Riesen
One of Storck's early branded candy lines, originating in the 1930s. The company later introduced a chocolate-covered version, extending the product from traditional caramel into chocolate confectionery.
Chocolate-coated marshmallow treat
Dickmann's
A chocolate-coated marshmallow confectionery brand added to Storck's portfolio through the acquisition of the Dickmann company in 1981.
Chewy candy
Mamba
A chewy candy brand in Storck's portfolio. In the 1970s, its advertising used the purple cartoon character Schleck, who also promoted related Storck products.
Chocolate and mint confectionery
Bendicks
A traditional English confectionery business acquired by Storck in 1988. The brand is associated with chocolate products and mint confectionery.
Chocolate · 1902
Moser-Roth
A historic chocolate brand dating to 1902 that was revived in 2007 and produced exclusively for Aldi.
Controversies
2025
Criticism over business in Russia
Storck's continued activity in Russia after the invasion of Ukraine drew criticism from observers who argued that maintaining sales and reported export growth conflicted with efforts to economically isolate Russia.
2023
Chocolate sustainability assessment criticism
The company received a negative ranking in the 2023 Chocolate Scorecard, including a Rotten Egg Award and a position near the bottom of the assessed group, according to the referenced account.
2021
Renewed tree occupation and supply-chain criticism
A renewed occupation began during the 2021 clearing season. Protesters connected the action with climate concerns and demands for greater disclosure of Storck's supply chains.
2020
Forest occupation at the Halle premises
Environmental activists occupied part of Storck's Halle premises to oppose planned clearing of woodland associated with factory expansion.
1942
Forced-labor camp operated at Werther
Storck operated a women's labor camp at its Werther location from September 1942 to September 1943 as part of the wartime prison-camp system.
Marketing campaigns
- 2022Knoppers ambassador partnership with Mats Hummels
Germany
Mats Hummels joined the Knoppers ambassador activity established with Thomas Müller.
Outcome. The brand extended its football-focused ambassador presence.
- 2021Knoppers ambassador partnership with Thomas Müller
Germany
Footballer Thomas Müller became a brand ambassador for Knoppers, linking the wafer brand with a prominent German sports personality.
Outcome. Thomas Müller continued as an identified Knoppers ambassador; Mats Hummels joined the activity in 2022.
- 2003Part of Your World
Worldwide
For the company's centenary, Storck introduced a refreshed corporate logo and the slogan 'Part of Your World', while increasing the visibility of the Storck name on product packaging.
Outcome. Corporate identity refreshed and the parent-company name made more visible across the portfolio.
Brand decisions
2023
Logistics infrastructure is expanded near HalleStrategyBackground
Increasing industrial and transport activity around the Halle site led the company to modify access and logistics arrangements.
Action taken
Storck built a logistics center near the A33 and an additional factory entrance so trucks could avoid traveling through Halle.
Aftermath
The project was intended to improve freight access while reducing heavy-truck traffic through the town.
2009
Sales companies are consolidatedStrategyBackground
Storck maintained previously independent sales structures for the Storck, merci and Dickmann businesses.
Action taken
The sales companies were gradually merged and a new pricing system was introduced.
Aftermath
The change created a more unified commercial organization for several major brands.
2003
Storck shifts toward multi-product brand familiesStrategyBackground
Under Axel Oberwelland, the company moved away from a strictly single-brand, single-product model.
Action taken
Storck expanded established brands with additional flavors, formats and sub-lines, including variants of Werther's Original and merci.
Aftermath
The portfolio became more extensive within individual brands and supported broader consumption occasions.
1998
Corporate management is moved to BerlinStrategyBackground
Storck reorganized its corporate structure as the business expanded beyond its original regional manufacturing base.
Action taken
Management functions were transferred to Berlin while manufacturing continued at German and international facilities.
Aftermath
Berlin became the company's headquarters and management center.
Recent events
- 2024
Storck reported as a donor to Germany's CDU[1]
Other
The Christian Democratic Union stated that it had received a 75,000-euro donation from August Storck KG.
- 2024
Storck makes political donation to the CDU[1]
Other
The Christian Democratic Union stated that it received a donation of 75,000 euros from August Storck KG.
- 2023
Storck develops a logistics center and new factory entrance near Halle[1]
Other
The company built a logistics center near the A33 and an additional entrance intended to keep arriving trucks from passing through Halle (Westphalia).
- 2023
Storck opens logistics development near Halle[1]
Other
The company built a logistics centre near the A33 and added a factory entrance intended to keep arriving trucks from passing through Halle (Westphalia).
Sources2 sources
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