• - Consulting firm Deloitte recognizes exemplary corporate management of the premium chocolate supplier

• - Leadership in four core corporate areas examined

• - Independent jury highlights holistic strategic approach, international growth and innovative spirit

Bilten, July 1, 2024 – The manufacturer of premium chocolate from the canton of Glarus has been confirmed as the "Best Managed Company" in Switzerland after 2023 by the consulting firm Deloitte, the Swiss stock exchange SIX and the bank Julius Baer. According to Deloitte, all new award winners and confirmed companies are characterized by a high degree of agility, resilience in challenging times and a strong sense of innovation.

The award was preceded last year by an intensive and multi-stage coaching and evaluation process. The focus is on assessing performance in the four core areas of Strategy, Productivity & Innovation, Culture & Commitment, and Governance & Finance. Participating companies receive an independent and substantive appreciation of how they compare in these core entrepreneurial areas with a global community of over 1,300 exemplary managed companies.

In the case of Läderach, the jury particularly recognized the entrepreneurial courage shown in the international growth process, the innovative spirit with which the company regularly sets creative benchmarks, and the holistic strategy and culture change approach followed by the company. In addition, the transparency and proactivity with which the company takes up and tackles even critical issues. The jury considered this assessment to be confirmed in 2024.

"I am extremely pleased to have received this prestigious award once again. It encourages us in the strategic path we are pursuing. Last year alone, we welcomed over 300 new employees to the company and opened more than 30 additional chocolateries in new and existing markets," says Johannes Läderach, CEO of Läderach, adding, "I am particularly pleased about the confirmation for the more than 2,000 employees worldwide, without whom our growth would not be possible."

“The firms that have won the Best Managed Companies Award have every reason to be proud,” says Andreas Bodenmann. “They have made it through a tough assessment process and demonstrated their exemplary business management in impressive fashion. This is why they are leading lights in their industry and have shown an amazing amount of creativity and innovative spirit while staying true to their fundamental values. As a driving force for innovation, privately held companies are crucial to the diversity and strength of Switzerland as a place to do business,” he adds.

The Best Managed Companies Award is an awards programme that honours privately owned companies for their organisational success and their achievements. It offers a clear framework for management teams who would like to benchmark themselves against the best privately held companies in the world. Since its launch in Canada in 1993, the Best Managed Companies programme has developed into the most important business award of its kind, which is now presented in 48 countries. 

This year’s panel tasked with assessing the participating companies comprised Jens Breu, CEO of the SFS Group, Tanja Vainio, Country President of Schneider Electric Switzerland, Thorsten Hartmann, Head Location Basel at Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd, and Prof. Thomas Straub, Professor for International Management at the University of Geneva.

Läderach the Swiss chocolate manufacturer stands for three core values: freshness, artisanal skills, and Swissness. Founded in 1962, the family company employs over 2,000 people from around 70 countries across the Group, which is headquartered in the Swiss canton of Glarus. Läderach over-sees the entire production process from the cocoa bean to the store counter and manufactures its chocolate exclusively in Switzerland. This makes them one of just a few premium producers to guarantee sustainable quality from the cocoa bean to the chocolate product. The artisanally crafted chocolate creations are sold at more than 180 Läderach chocolateries with sales locations in 20 countries, as well as via franchise partners in the Middle East and Asia. Chocolate lovers can also order the specialties from Switzerland in Läderach’s online shop (www.laderach.com).

Matthias Goldbeck 

Global Head of Corporate Communications

Phone +41 79 210 51 48

[email protected]