Swiss Chocolate Brands

As in all industries, it usually starts out with just a few small companies, then over time they merge or get taken over by larger companies. It's pretty much the same for the Swiss choclate industry:

The first two manufacuturers of chocolate in Switzerland started out in

1819 - Cailler in Vevey - they are still a famous and worldwide brand, but they are owned by Nestlé

1826 - Suchard in Serrières - a bit less well known worldwide, but a reputable brand, specifically in Europe, now owned by Kraft Foods.

After the 1830's new choclate manufacturers popped up like mushrooms in an autumn rain: 1830 - Kohler in Lausanne (now also Nestlé), 1836 - Sprüngli in Zurich, company split into the famous Confiserie Sprüngli at the Zurich Paradeplatz and chocolate manufacturer Lindt & Sprüngli in 1892, still independet and kicking strong!! Then in 1852 - Maestrani in Luzern (today in Flawil) started out, also still independet, in 1862 - Klaus in Le Locle, in 1867 - Peter in Lausanne (today Nestlé), 1879 - Lindt in Bern (today Lindt & Sprüngli, merged very early, see above), in 1887 - Chocolat Frey in Aarau (was bought by Migros and is now the inhouse manufacturere for the Migros own brands of chocolate).

At the turn of the century two more companies started out, one the manufacturer of the famous Toblerone: in 1899 - Tobler in Bern (was bought by Kraft Foods), and two years later in 1901 - Chocolat de Villars in Villars sur Glâne, still independet.

The last additions to the chocolate industry happened in the 1930's: 1929 - Camille Bloch in Courtelary, manufactuere of the Ragusa bar, also still independet, in 1932 - Chocolat Bernrain in Kreuzlingen and in 1933 - Chocolats Halba in Wallisellen.