Company in Waldenbuch must cut costs – Ritter Sport cuts 70 jobs:
After many years of growth, chocolate manufacturer Ritter Sport is struggling with sharply ...
stuttgarter-nachrichten.de/inhalt.firma-in-waldenbuch-muss-sparen-ritter-sport-baut-70-stellen-ab.2aeb094c-28df-4ec5-b45f-771a79e9fff8.html
Photo: stuttgarter-nachrichten.de · view article
Ritter Sport Cuts Jobs Due to Rising CostsAmid soaring expenses and declining sales, Ritter Sport will reduce 70 administrative positions by 2026 at its Waldenbuch headquarters.
Key FactsApr 23, 2026 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: stuttgarter-nachrichten.de
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: stuttgarter-nachrichten.de
- Ritter Sport faces significant cost increases in cocoa, energy, logistics, and packaging that negatively impact profits.
- Although revenue rose by 17.7% to 712 million euros in 2025, the company could not offset the escalating expenses.
- Approximately 70 administrative jobs will be cut in Waldenbuch to maintain the family business's operational viability.
- Employees affected will receive support through a transfer company, but layoffs due to operational reasons remain possible.
The step is hard for us, but there is no other option. We want to remain able to act as a family-owned company.— Thomas Seeger, Ritter Sport spokesperson, on the planned job cuts
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nutritionally dense or sweet food product from the seed of Theobroma cacao - cocoa bean
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Key FactsStuttgart court apparently favors Ritter Sport in packaging dispute
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Summary created with AI assistance · Source: swr.de
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: swr.de
- The Stuttgart Higher Regional Court appears to favor Ritter Sport; judgment is scheduled for November 5.
- The dispute, ongoing since early 2025, concerns Wacker’s square-packaged oat bar “Monnemer Quadrat Bio” from Mannheim.
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Thus there has been 'a violation of the Trademark Act'.— Judge Christoph Stefani, presiding judge at the Stuttgart Higher Regional Court, during the hearing; stated that there was a violation of trademark law.
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Key FactsRitter Sport Transition to Family-Led Management
May 18, 2026 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: stuttgarter-nachrichten.de
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: stuttgarter-nachrichten.de
- Management responsibilities shifted in May 2026 to Moritz Ritter and Tim Hoppe, both descendants of the founders.
- Andreas Ronken, who shaped the company since 2015, is stepping down from his leadership role.
- The company responded to financial pressure by implementing cost cuts, including job eliminations.
- Increasing raw material and energy prices, along with weaker consumer demand, prompted significant restructuring.
Against this backdrop, we have decided to take on responsibility ourselves, in order to complete the necessary transformation together with the management and the employees and to set the course for a successful future.— Ritter and Hoppe, as stated in the company announcement; co-CEOs of Ritter Sport
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Key FactsRitter Sport Battles Rising Costs and Losses
Jan 30, 2026 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: stuttgarter-nachrichten.de
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: stuttgarter-nachrichten.de
- Ritter Sport increased sales by approximately 17.7 percent to €712 million in 2025 but recorded a financial loss despite the growth.
- Rising expenses for cocoa, energy, logistics, and packaging caused the operating result to fall well below expectations.
- Price hikes were only partially passed to retailers, leading to reduced sales volumes in Germany’s price-sensitive chocolate market.
- The company is working on simplifying costs, prioritizing investments, and considering potential workforce impacts affecting around 1,900 employees.
Revenue is not the same as profit – what matters is whether a company can sustainably cover its costs.— Ritter Sport CEO Andreas Ronken on the current financial situation of the company.
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Dec 14, 2025 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: n-tv.de
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: n-tv.de
- Cocoa costs have more than doubled recently, reaching nearly $5500 per ton, significantly impacting chocolate production.
- Ritter Sport anticipates ongoing price hikes due to climate change effects on tropical products like cocoa.
- The company plans to maintain the 100-gram bar size while raising prices instead of reducing package weight.
- Price increases have already led to sales declines of up to 10%, with retail price limits around two to three euros.
I have to say it clearly: We have destroyed the world.— Andreas Ronken, CEO of Ritter Sport, on the impact of the chocolate crisis and climate change.
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