About us

Since the birth of our company in 1962, we have been refining fresh chocolate into extraordinary creations – and taking great pleasure in sharing them. While we initially did so as a supplier to selected Swiss chocolate shops, today we share our delights with the entire world.

Milestones

Three generations, one World Chocolate Master, countless innovations. Once a small chocolate factory in Glarus, today we are represented in more than 20 countries around the world – and we are still expanding. Take a look back with us at the most important steps in our company’s history.

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Facts and figures

180+

Chocolateries

20

Countries

2,000+

Employees

65+

Nationalities

2

Production Sites

380+

Chocolate Creations

Management

Johannes Läderach

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Born in 1986, he has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Studies as well as a Master’s degree in Marketing, Services and Communication Management (MSC) from the University of St. Gallen (HSG). In 2018, he became the third generation to assume the role of CEO at Läderach, which he still holds today. Other accolades include: - Member of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Switzerland (CCIS) since 2021 - President of the Glarus Chamber of Commerce since 2022 - Honorary Ambassador for the Greater Zurich Area since 2020 - Young Leader of the American Swiss Foundation since 2021

Elias Läderach

Chief Creative Officer (CCO) Born in 1988, he is a classically trained pastry chef and confectioner with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) in Winterthur. Elias Läderach has been involved in product development at Läderach since 2009, he’s been responsible for Innovation and Production since 2018, and he assumed the role of Chief Creative Officer in 2021. Other accolades include: - World Chocolate Master since 2018 - Member of the Executive Board for the Association of Swiss Bakers and Confectioners (SBC) from 2019–2023

Nathanael Hausmann

Head of Europe and Global Sales Management Born in 1987, Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), and a Master’s degree in International Management from the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW). Current position since 2023. Prior to that, Division Manager for Merchandising and Order Processing and General Manager for North America. Between 2005 and 2017, Nathanael Hausmann held various leadership positions at Swiss Federal Railways (SBB CFF FFS). Other accolades include: - Member of the Swiss-American Chamber of Commerce’s Board in New York from 2019–2023

Laurens van den Berg

Chief Operations Officer (COO) Born in 1987, he has a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the INSEAD Business School in Belgium, Business Administration from the Pepperdine Graziadio Business School, Global Management from the University of Antwerp and Electromechanics from KU Leuven. Laurens van den Berg was responsible for production at Läderach from 2022, until he assumed the role of Chief Operations Officer in 2024. Between 2013 and 2022, he gained experience working for the Barry Callebaut Group as a Project Engineer, a Production Manager, an Operations Manager and finally, a Plant Manager.

Marco Heyn

Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Born in 1975, he is a qualified IFRS/IAS Accountant and Certified Public Accountant (CPA) recognized by the Swiss Institute of Certified Accountants and Tax Consultants. Marco Hey has been Läderach’s Chief Financial Officer since 2018. He left Ernst & Young in 2008 to join Triumph International, where his roles included Head of Finance Europe, Chief Financial Officer Japan and Head of Global Financial Reporting.

Board of Directors

Johannes Läderach

President of the Board of Directors since 2021. Born in 1986, he has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Studies as well as a Master’s degree in Marketing, Services and Communication Management (MSC) from the University of St. Gallen (HSG). In 2018, he became the third generation to assume the role of CEO at Läderach, which he still holds today. Other accolades include: - Member of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Switzerland (CCIS) since 2021 - President of the Glarus Chamber of Commerce since 2022 - Honorary Ambassador for the Greater Zurich Area since 2020 - Young Leader of the American Swiss Foundation since 2021

Elias Läderach

Vice President of the Board of Directors since 2021. Born in 1988, he is a classically trained pastry chef and confectioner with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) in Winterthur. Elias Läderach has been involved in product development at Läderach since 2009, he’s been responsible for Innovation and Production since 2018, and he assumed the role of Chief Creative Officer in 2021. Other accolades include: - World Chocolate Master since 2018 - Member of the Executive Board for the Association of Swiss Bakers and Confectioners (SBC) from 2019–2023

David Läderach

Member of the Board of Directors since 2021. Born in 1995. After completing a course to become a qualified bank clerk, he studied for a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), where he majored in International Management. He worked as Head of Digital and E-Commerce from 2018 to 2020 before becoming CEO of Läderach Deutschland in 2021. David Läderach started his career at Credit Suisse before embarking on internships in Switzerland and the USA in 2014.

Cornelia Ritz Bossicard

Member of the Board of Directors since 2019. Certified public accountant (CPA) in Switzerland and California with a Master’s degree in Business Administration from HEC Lausanne and Freie Universität Berlin. After working for PricewaterhouseCoopers in Lausanne, Silicon Valley and Zurich for many years, she founded 2bridge AG in 2016, for whom she is still active as a Managing Partner and Chair of the Board of Directors. Other accolades include: - President of swissVR’s Board since 2018 – President of IVF HARTMANN’s Board of Directors since 2022 – Member of various audit committees – Member of the Swiss-American Society’s Board since 2015

Andreas Pfluger

Member of the Board of Directors since 2019. Born in 1960, he graduated from the University of Fribourg with a Doctorate in Political Science. In 2019, he founded Jumi Enterprises Inc. Business Consulting, where he is still active as CEO. Between 1994 and 2018, Andreas Pfluger worked at Lindt & Sprüngli as a Regional Officer, as a Member of the Group’s Central Management, and as Chief Executive Officer (Australia, France, USA). Prior to that, he was responsible for Marketing and Sales at Unilever. Other accolades include: - Various board memberships

Walter Huber

Member of the Board of Directors since 2020. Born in 1957, he is a Mechanical Engineer and Master of Business Administration. Walter Huber has been the President of Migros Industrie’s Executive Board since 2008. Prior to that, he held various positions at Emmi, including Head of Swiss Markets and CEO from 2004. Other accolades include: – Start-up investor – Various board and board-of-trustee memberships

Charter

Every person is a unique and valuable individual. Regardless of their skin color, gender, origin, age, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, lifestyle, capabilities, or disabilities. This is also reflected in the makeup of our approximately 2,000 employees, who represent around 70 different nationalities as well as a wide range of religious affiliations and lifestyles. We are united by tolerance, respect, and freedom of opinion. These values are at the heart of everything we do, alongside our passion for fresh Swiss chocolate.

Ombudsman’s office

Have you noticed or experienced something that doesn’t tally with our values? Whether you're employee or somebody outside the company, you can report conduct and behavior that fails to live up to our values and internal guidelines in a confidential and anonymous manner. Any feedback will be examined by an independent consumer forum and arbitration board, with appropriate measures subsequently be taken.

From origin to indulgence

We have been sharing our passion for fresh chocolate for generations. Discover more about our history, our innovations, and the authentic artisanal skills of our chocolatiers.

World Chocolate Master

World Chocolate Master

Elias Läderach is the only Swiss chocolatier to have earned the title “World Chocolate Master.” Experience his award-winning creations and find out more about his latest projects.

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House of Läderach

House of Läderach

A chocolate museum, a chocolate studio, chocolate events – the House of Läderach has it all, including a café, of course!. Discover the delights of freshly made chocolate in all of its facets – 364 days a year.

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Freshness

Freshness

The exquisite taste of our chocolate creations is an affair of the heart for us. That’s why we make them fresh daily and get them to you as quickly as possible – so you can experience the freshness with all your senses.

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Origin

Origin

Our top priority is to craft chocolate of the highest quality. That’s why we oversee the entire procurement process ourselves – be it in the intertropical cocoa belt or the Swiss Alpine region.

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