HOSTA - Werk für Schokolade-Spezialitäten GmbH & Co. KG

HOSTA – Werk für Schokolade-Spezialitäten GmbH & Co. KG is a German confectionery manufacturer headquartered in Randenweiler, part of the municipality of Stimpfach, between Ellwangen and Crailsheim in the Ostwürttemberg region. The company name is derived from the initials of its founder, Hermann Opferkuch, together with the letters S, T and A taken from the company's original location, Stimpfach. It remains a family business, now run in the third generation. The company was founded in 1949 by Hermann Opferkuch Senior, initially marketing O-Minz (Opferkuch peppermint tablets). In its early years deliveries were still made by motorcycle with a backpack. Between 1950 and 1955 the business was expanded into a modern industrial operation. Over the decades HOSTA increasingly focused its production on confectionery specialties distinguished by striking packaging design. HOSTA's best-known products include Mr.Tom (a caramel-coated peanut bar), Mr.Jim (a chocolate-coated peanut bar introduced in 2018), Nippon (chocolate-coated puffed rice), ROMY Sommer (coconut chocolate available from April to August), ROMY Original (coconut chocolate available from September to March), Risco (caramelised puffed rice) and Pic-Nic Break (biscuit sticks with cocoa cream for dipping). The company also operates an online shop and markets its brands under the claim "Echt gut. Echt glücklich." ("Really good. Really happy."). Beyond Germany, the Hosta Group includes Hosta Meltis Ltd in the United Kingdom, Hosta Italia Srl in Italy, Droste B.V. in the Netherlands (since 1997), Droste AG in Switzerland, Wamco in Takoradi, Ghana, and Wawel S.A. in Poland. Hermann Opferkuch Junior took over management in 1990; after his death in 2019, his daughter Laura Opferkuch assumed the role of managing director, continuing the family tradition.

HOSTA was founded in 1949 by Hermann Opferkuch Senior as a family business initially dedicated to marketing O-Minz (Opferkuch peppermint tablets). In the early days, products were delivered by motorcycle with a backpack. Between 1950 and 1955 the company was developed into a modern industrial operation. Over the years, HOSTA increasingly oriented its production towards confectionery specialties characterised by striking packaging design. In 1990, Hermann Opferkuch Junior, son of the founder, took over the management of the company. Following his death in 2019, his daughter Laura Opferkuch assumed the role of managing director, making HOSTA a third-generation family business. The company expanded internationally over time. The Hosta Group today includes Hosta Meltis Ltd in the United Kingdom, Hosta Italia Srl in Italy, Droste B.V. in the Netherlands (since 1997), Droste AG in Switzerland, Wamco in Takoradi, Ghana, and Wawel S.A. in Poland. HOSTA continues to operate from its headquarters in Randenweiler, part of Stimpfach in the Ostwürttemberg region, and markets its products through retail channels and its own online shop.

• 2019

  After the death of Hermann Opferkuch Junior, his daughter Laura Opferkuch becomes managing director.

• 2018

  Market launch of Mr.Jim, a chocolate-coated peanut bar.

• 1997

  Droste B.V. in the Netherlands joins the Hosta Group.

• 1990

  Hermann Opferkuch Junior takes over the management of the company.

• 1950

  Beginning of expansion into a modern industrial operation (completed by 1955).

• 1949

  Founded by Hermann Opferkuch Senior with the marketing of O-Minz (Opferkuch peppermint tablets).

Family-run German confectionery manufacturer specialising in chocolate and peanut-based snacks with distinctive packaging, marketed under the claim "Echt gut. Echt glücklich."

• Mr.Tom

  Caramel-coated peanut bar.

• Mr.Jim

  Chocolate-coated peanut bar, introduced in 2018.

• Nippon

  Chocolate-coated puffed rice.

• ROMY Sommer

  Coconut chocolate available from April to August.

• ROMY Original

  Coconut chocolate available from September to March.

• Risco

  Caramelised puffed rice.

• Pic-Nic Break

  Biscuit sticks with cocoa cream for dipping.

• O-Minz

  Opferkuch peppermint tablets, the product with which the company was founded.

1. 1HOSTA official websitehosta-group.com
2. 2Hosta (Unternehmen) – Wikipediade.wikipedia.org
3. 3HOSTA – Wikidatawikidata.org