The “H. Bahlsens Keksfabrik KG” changes its name to “Bahlsen KG”. Acquisition of shares from the Brandt Company as well as from the Gottena subsidiary. On 1 July 2014 Bahlsen becomes 125 years old. In October 2014, the anniversary is celebrated officially. For the first time in the history of the company, all 2,500 employees from around the world are invited to Hannover.

Our Story - Bahlsen Our Story - Bahlsen

Centred around its philosophy of ‘Chocolate. Biscuit. And then some’ the advert depicts the biscuits’ power to provide more than expected, by breaking in half to reveal an exciting and unusual scene within its delicious centre. Werner M. Bahlsen, Werner Bahlsen’s youngest son, joins the company. His brother Lorenz Bahlsen already joined in 1973. Hermann Bahlsen died on 6 November 1919. He was succeeded by three of his four sons; 1919 Hans Bahlsen (1901–1959), 1922 Werner Bahlsen (1904–1985) and 1930 Klaus Bahlsen (1908–1991). Together with a young management team, the second Bahlsen generation started restructuring and modernising the company after the economic decline that had resulted from inflation and the Great Depression. Hermann Bahlsen changed the English word "cakes" into "Keks". Some years later, the new term was officially approved and incorporated in the German dictionary. The company moved into the new factory building in Lister Straße and the new headquarters in Podbielskistraße. Pictures, sculptures, and ornaments created a pleasant working environment. Several social institutions arose.Production in the United States begins with the acquisition of Austin Quality Foods in North Carolina. Bahlsen employs approximately 11,200 members of staff. Bahlsen joined the “Foundation Initiative for the Compensation of Former Enforced Labourers during the Second World War”. The Second World War broke out two months after Bahlsen celebrated its 50th anniversary. Food products were rationed, and raw materials were short. Biscuits were only sold against bread stamps. Many employees were conscripted into the German army. The technical department had to discontinue its research and development work. The assortment of products was reduced to eleven products while emergency rations for the army and crisp bread was added. Unknown thieves steal the Golden Biscuit from the Pretzel Men sculpture on the façade of the company's headquarters in Hannover, attracting the attention of newspapers and television stations around the world. Hermann Bahlsen left the company and took over all shares of the former subsidiary “Austin Quality Foods“, Cary in North Carolina.

Bahlsen

Werner M. Bahlsen will head the newly founded Governence Board. Further members of the Board, which will meet about five times annually, are: Bahlsen was awarded a gold medal again at the Exposition Universelle in Paris for its “specialities”. Acquisition of St. Michel (France) - a biscuit producing family enterprise with more than 90 years standing. St. Michel continues to be the national brand for Breton biscuits and cakes. The products "NOCH EINE" ice cream waffers and "ABC" were launched, helping the company on its upward surge. Bahlsen relocates cake production from its factory in Oldenburg to the nearby production plant in Varel. The newly integrated production facility for cakes enables innovation in technology.The company employed 100 people. At the world exhibition in Chicago, Bahlsen received a gold medal for the “LEIBNIZ Cakes”. The official reason stated by the jury: “Several competitors imitate the LEIBNIZ Cakes in one way or another; but only Bahlsen captures the fine taste of butter.” After much modernisation work, the Barsinghausen plant was awarded the “Factory of the Year” prize. The “Factory of the Year” is an annual benchmarking event known as the toughest benchmarking test for manufacturing companies throughout Europe.