Loacker
Loacker is the No. 1 wafer brand from Italy, renowned worldwide. It is produced by Loacker S.p.A., a company founded in 1925 by Alfons Loacker, an Austrian confectioner. Today, Rimping Supermarket will take you on a deep dive into the success story of this legendary wafer brand.
Humble Beginnings in the Alps (1925 AD)
The story of Loacker began in 1925, when Alfons Loacker, an Austrian confectioner, decided to open a small pastry shop in Bolzano, Italy, amidst the beautiful natural surroundings of the Alps, to produce high-quality baked goods.
Alfons focused on selecting the finest local ingredients to produce a variety of baked goods. However, one pastry that quickly gained popularity in his shop was a multi-layered wafer filled with a delicate, crunchy cream.
From Pastry Shop to Professional Wafer Company (Post-WWII)
Due to unexpected success, many years later, after World War II, Alfons decided to close his pastry business and officially open a wafer manufacturing company. At the same time, his son, Armin Loacker, who had just completed his confectionery studies abroad, joined the business.
Under Armin's leadership, the company expanded its product lines, diversifying its offerings. He began experimenting with new wafer flavors, including milk, hazelnut, dark chocolate, white chocolate, and strawberry, among others.
Furthermore, the company modernized its production techniques. In 1967, Armin purchased an automatic oven for wafer production, which allowed the company to produce wafers faster and in larger quantities. In terms of the production process, the company was meticulously careful in selecting local ingredients such as milk, butter, flour, and various nuts. All ingredients had to undergo strict quality checks to ensure that the wafers had a rich, buttery taste and maintained their crispiness.
Relocation to Nature's Heart and a Philosophy of Sustainability (1974 AD)
As the company grew, in 1974, Armin decided to move the factory to Renon in Auna di Sotto, located amidst the Dolomites at an altitude of 1,000 meters above sea level. This location was surrounded by beautiful nature, offering pure air and water, ideal for wafer production, as it was a source of excellent raw materials. Armin stated, "The best must be produced in the best nature, and Loacker's factory must not harm the environment there."
Loacker not only chose a factory location close to nature but also adhered to the principle of using natural ingredients, avoiding preservatives, artificial colors, and artificial flavors.
Ascending to Italy's No. 1 Brand and Global Expansion (1975-1980 AD)
After relocating the factory, the company increased its production capacity, capable of producing up to 40,000 wafers per day in preparation for exporting wafers to other regions. In 1975, they successfully exported wafers throughout all regions of Italy, where they quickly gained popularity. The company's sales increased by 500%, making it the No. 1 wafer brand in Italy.
This success spurred the company to continue expanding its operations. In 1980, the company began expanding its business outside of Europe, launching a new production facility in Austria and focusing more on international marketing. As a result, Loacker wafers were introduced to various continents, including Europe, Asia, and America.
Continuous Growth and Commitment to Sustainability
Over the years, Loacker has continued to grow. Although wafers remain their main product, the company has also introduced a wide range of other products, such as chocolate-coated wafers, pralines, and biscuits, with each product still produced with the same dedication to quality as their wafers.
In addition to focusing on product quality, the company also prioritizes sustainability and ethical sourcing of ingredients. Loacker has initiated various programs to reduce its environmental impact, such as using renewable energy sources in its production facilities and responsibly sourcing raw materials by supporting fair trade practices and working with local farmers to obtain the highest quality ingredients.
In recent years, Loacker has opened tourist centers called Loacker World of Goodness in Italy and Austria. These centers showcase the company's history, allow consumers to visit the production process, and enjoy a variety of Loacker products and workshops.
Loacker Today: Global Leader and Family Business
Currently, Loacker is a global leader in the confectionery industry, with products sold in over 100 countries worldwide. It generates annual sales of more than 10 billion Baht globally and holds a market share of up to 56.5% in Italy. Furthermore, the company remains a family business, managed by the third generation, led by Andreas Loacker, Martin Loacker (Armin's sons), and their nephew Ulrich Zuenelli.
Loacker is a testament to a commitment to quality that started from a small pastry shop and grew into a global brand that still adheres to its original values.
You can find Loacker products at all Rimping Supermarket branches!
