Our History
1889
On July 1st, Hermann Bahlsen (1859 - 1919) takes over the company "Fabrikgeschäft Engl. Cakes und Biscuits" from H. Schmuckler in Hanover. He renames the company "Hannoversche Cakesfabrik H. Bahlsen" and production starts with a staff of ten.
1905
At the beginning of the century we take on the leadership role in technology and implement the first production line for packaging in Europe.
1919-1930
The death of Hermann Bahlsen on November 6th, 1919. A young leadership team, Hans, Werner and Klaus Bahlsen, restructures and modernises the company. By now, savoury snacks have also become a popular part of the range.
1935
The birth of a salty legend! The first pretzel sticks - Salzletten from Bahlsen (today Saltletts Sticks) - are introduced into the German market. Klaus Bahlsen had brought the recipe back with him from a trip to the USA.
1951
The first automated chip production line in Europe! The presence of American soldiers increases the demand for potato chips in Europe. Heinz Flessner -a German mechanical engineer- establishes the company “Flessner KG” in Neu-Isenburg and supplies the US army with the first potato chips produced in Germany.
1963
We introduce the first peanut flips to the German market - ErdnußLocken! These delicious curls have been on sale in France since 1960 under the name “Curly”.
By aquiring shares of the company Liebelt in Hamburg, Germany, the product range is enlarged further to include nuts.
1964
The "Hermann Bahlsen Keksfabrik KG" purchases shares of the "Flessner KG" Neu-Isenburg, Germany, and starts to distribute the Flessner products under its own Bahlsen name.
1968
The most modern chips factory in Europe at that time goes into production in Neunburg vorm Wald, Germany in 1968.
1972
To serve the higher demand for potato crisps, chips production starts in in Hankensbüttel, Germany in 1972 .
1974-1975
Werner Bahlsen’s sons, Lorenz and Werner M. join the company.
1985
Bahlsen buys the remaining Flessner shares.
1992
By acquiring Polish Snack company „Unimarex“, Bahlsen expands its strategic investment in the growing Eastern and South-Eastern European markets.
Also: Crunchips are launched – our most important chips brand to date!
1993
The Bahlsen Group is restructured into two segments: "sweet" and "snacks". The snack business is now operated separately and given a name of its own - "Bahlsen Picanterie".
Another milestone: NicNac’s are launched. This is the first monobrand on the nut market and the indisputable original coated peanut.
1999
Snacks go their own way! This is the beginning of the legally fully independent “Lorenz Bahlsen Snack Group”, which handles the snack business from its headquarters in Neu-Isenburg, Germany
2001
The logo changes from "Bahlsen Picanterie" to "Lorenz Snack-World".
A marketing and sales unit is established in Austria to coordinate the core market Austria as well as the business in the Balkan region. This company is based in Klagenfurt am Wörthersee.
2003
Salzletten becomes Saltletts! Lorenz Snack-World presents the new brand for pretzel products: Saltletts. Under this brand, completely new pretzel products, for example Saltletts Sticks Sesame, are launched.
2006
A new and more modern logo is introduced. The main element of the logo is our company name in handwriting.
Production starts in a new, modern manufacturing plant in Stanowice, Poland. By acquiring the Polish company Polsnack, Lorenz Snack-World strengthens its position on the Polish snack market.
In Russia, the business activities are strengthened with the establishment of a marketing and sales representation in Saint-Petersburg.-
The Future
There are always exciting things happening at Lorenz Snack-World and we look forward to what the future has in store for us.