HARIBO

What if I told you, right here in Bonn, amidst the bustling city, lies a kingdom of childlike wonder? It’s the kingdom of HARIBO. HARIBO, a name synonymous with sweet, chewy joy. HARIBO began its journey not in a grand factory, but in a humble kitchen in Kessenich, Bonn. The year was 1920. Hans Riegel Sr., with a sack of sugar, a copper pot, and a handful of other simple tools, registered his company. His wife, Gertrud, became the first employee, pedaling through the streets of Bonn with baskets of Hans’s creations. Two years later, in that same small kitchen, magic happened. Hans Riegel Sr. invented the Gummibärchen, the “dancing bear,” larger and softer than its modern counterpart, the Goldbear. The dancing bear was an instant hit, quickly outgrowing Gertrud’s bicycle baskets and necessitating HARIBO’s first company car in 1923. The 1930s saw HARIBO expand significantly, its workforce growing to 400. The now iconic slogan, “Haribo macht Kinder froh” (“Haribo makes children happy”), was coined. World War II brought hardship, raw materials became scarce, and production dwindled. Following the war, Hans’s sons, Hans Jr. and Paul, took the reins. Hans Jr., a businessman with a doctorate in sugar’s role in world trade, focused on marketing. Paul, a skilled engineer, dedicated himself to production and quality, ensuring HARIBO upheld its commitment to excellence. The “dancing bear” evolved, becoming the “Teddy Bear,” and finally, in 1960, the Goldbear, a symbol of childlike happiness recognized worldwide. The catchy jingle, “Haribo macht Kinder froh – und Erwachsene ebenso” (“Haribo makes children happy – and adults as well”), first aired on German television in 1962, solidifying HARIBO’s place in popular culture. HARIBO continued its expansion, acquiring companies and brands across Europe, including the UK’s Dunhill’s in 1972. In 1986, the beloved MAOAM brand joined the HARIBO family. Today, HARIBO produces millions of Goldbears daily in factories across the globe, bringing joy to people of all ages. While HARIBO’s headquarters moved to Grafschaft in 2018, Bonn remains a cherished part of HARIBO’s legacy. So, as you stand here, imagine that small kitchen in Kessenich. Imagine the scent of sugar and the bubbling of the copper pot. The sweet legacy of HARIBO, born in Bonn, continues to spread joy around the world, one Goldbear at a time.