The Brand Tuners

Wirtschaftswoche, Germany's leading business magazine, has named Katjes International as one of the most trusted family businesses by German consumers. In a survey conducted by the market research institute Innofact, around 1,500 consumers rated traditional family-owned companies with a turnover of between €250 million and €1 billion according to criteria such as trust, quality, innovation, sustainability and image. The evaluation also took into account specific business figures, the development of the company's turnover and the number of employees.

Katjes International has been awarded "Best Issuer SME Bonds 2019" by BOND MAGAZINE. The award was based on the company's outstanding bond performance and favourable financial indicators. This was the ninth time the title has been awarded by BOND MAGAZINE.

In 2019, Katjes International issued its third corporate bond - with great success: Demand was so strong that the subscription period was closed early on the first day of issue. At EUR 110 million, Katjes International exceeded its target volume by ten percent. Approximately EUR 22 million of the bond was placed via Deutsche Börse's subscription facility (DirectPlace), primarily with private investors - by far the largest volume of any corporate bond issued in Germany in 2019.

Wirtschaftswoche, Germany's leading business magazine, has selected Katjes International from over 3,500 companies as the Innovation Champion of German SMEs. In a rigorous research and evaluation process, Wirtschaftswoche, in collaboration with Munich Strategy Group, evaluated financial statements and presentations, interviewed management as well as customers and competitors, and then calculated the innovation score.

Katjes International distinguishes itself through continuous innovation, a well regarded fact in the market and among the media and competitors. Katjes International aims to set standards for innovation in the confectionery sector. The innovation score is based two-thirds on this innovative strength and one-third on sales and earnings performance.

Katjes International has been awarded the title of "Best Confectionery Manufacturer 2017" by the German Enterprise Awards. This is one of the most coveted awards in Europe and is awarded to companies that have made outstanding and innovative contributions to their respective sectors. The result was based on the company's impressive portfolio of leading brands in the Western European confectionery sector. The brand family includes products from Lutti, Continental Sweets, Piasten, Dallmann’s and Festivaldi. In June 2017, Katjes International also acquired a stake in Josef Manner AG, Vienna.

October 2016: Katjes International was crowned winner of the “Excellence of the Year for Innovation & Leadership – Confectionery” category at the prestigious Le Fonti/IAIR Awards.

The jury's decision was based on the leading position of Katjes International and its renowned brands in the European confectionery markets. The judges also praised the company's entrepreneurial skills and successful expansion strategy, as well as the high quality of its management team.

The international Le Fonti/IAIR Awards recognise outstanding business performance and sustainable business excellence. Winners are selected by an impartial scientific panel of judges from the International Alternative Investment Review (IAIR®).

Katjes International has won the coveted European Business Award 2016 in the category 'Sweet Production Company of the Year 2016 - Germany'. With this award, the jury recognised Katjes International's proven strategy of acquiring strong brands and driving growth by exploiting synergies. The initiator of the Business Awards is the editorial team of the British magazine Wealth & Finance International. Each year, the experts at Wealth & Finance celebrate the most deserving and best performing companies and individuals across all regions.

Katjes International was awarded the "Consumer Deal of the Year 2014 in Europe" for its acquisition of Piasten GmbH & Co. KG.

The jury's decision was based not only on the size and brand recognition of both companies, but also on their growth potential in the European confectionery market.

The British financial magazine ACQUISITION INTERNATIONAL selected the winner of the Deal of the Year Award from more than 20,000 corporate takeovers over the past year: Katjes International won with its acquisition of Piasten GmbH. Each year, ACQUISITION INTERNATIONAL honours outstanding companies with dynamic growth strategies that clearly stand out from their competitors.

January 2014: Katjes International wins the prestigious European Business Award in the category "National Public Champion 2013/2014". With its strategy of growing the company by acquiring established brands in Western Europe, Katjes International was able to stay ahead of the German competition. Each year, the European Business Awards recognise the best companies in Europe that have demonstrated business excellence, innovation and ethical performance.

July 2013: Katjes International wins the prestigious European Business Award in the category "National Champion 2013/2014". An impartial panel of 60 judges made up of politicians, economists, media and industry representatives recognised Katjes International's strategy of increasing revenues through organic growth of the established brands of acquired companies and through corporate investments.

Bastian Fassin and Tobias Bachmüller (from left), both managing directors of Katjes International GmbH & Co. KG, proudly receive the award; Adrian Tripp, CEO of the European Business Awards, applauds.