Trolli

Trolli
Product type GmbH & Co. KG
Owner Mederer GmbH (Herbert Mederer CEO)
Country Fürth,  Germany
Introduced 1975
Related brands Efruti, Gummi Bear Factory
Markets Confectionery
Tagline The one for fun!
Website Trolli International
Trolli U.S.

Trolli is a brand which was registered in 1975 by Mederer GmbH of Germany. The main production today consists of gummy candies, marshmallows, and soft licorice gums. Trolli's headquarters are located in Fürth, Bavaria, Germany. Products are sold worldwide to more than 80 countries. Trolli runs four factories in Germany, one in the Czech Republic, one in Spain, one in China, and is currently developing another in Venezuela. The company also owns a sales office and distribution center in the United States. More than 150,000 tons of gummi candy are produced yearly within the International Trolli Group and the company has about 2500 employees.[1]

Trolli´s Export Destinations

History

Mederer Group

The TROLLI company history began in 1948. Willy Mederer, father of today's owner, Herbert Mederer, began producing noodles and pasta under the company name: Willy Mederer KG. Soon thereafter, the formerly rationed sugar rules[2] (during the war), were relaxed and the range of products from the Mederer Group could be expanded - particularly to the production of peppermint candies. Following this expansion, a sales team was created to organise the company´s marketing.

Expansion

Willy Mederer attempted to expand throughout the 1950s and 60's. As the product range widened and the number of employees increased, the Mederer Group augmented production with new machinery to satisfy increasing demand. From then on, Willy Mederer decided to distribute products under the brand name "Wilmed." Jelly-fruits, cream drops and other products were made by 150 employees. Sales offices in Münich and Stuttgart were then created.

At the age of 17, Herbert Mederer, current CEO, was integrated into the company while simultaneously attending the Candy School of Solingen, where he studied to become a confectioner.

TROLLI's creation

Over the years, the fruit gummy candy production and industry, adopted a continuously increasing status, with Haribo leading at the top of the industry. Willy Mederer was able to reinforce credibility of the company as well as give it a name by concentrating on the quality of the gummi candy produced. Thus in 1975, the magenta-colored 'Trolli' logo was implemented. The character part of the logo was based on a mythical forest creature, known as a troll which was particularly fond of children. Due to the popularity of myths, tales and stories, it was expected that the name would impress and connect with children. The Fürth established company was quick for expansion and soon opened its doors worldwide. With Willy Mederer still as the head of TROLLI, the company soon took interest in the American Market. However the success of an integration into the US market would only be experienced by Willy Mederer's successor, Herbert. Willy Mederer died in 1984.

Innovation

Exports over the Atlantic were becoming a major asset to the company and soon amounted to 40 tonnes on a daily basis. 'Wurrli,' known as 'Squiggle' in the US, was the first success integrate the American market. It was not long before the TROLLI industry also adopted sour products which consisted of gummy candies coated in sugar. Following this, the Mederer Corporation decided to focus mainly on innovation; developing new shapes, colours and tastes for the candies. In 1986, Herbert Mederer built a production facility in Creston, Iowa (United States) that ensured increasing capacity with every year using cutting edge technology from both the United States and Germany.

One of the developments was the creation of double layered - gummy and foam - products, such as the apple rings. State-of-the-art starch mogul machines were crucial to this new creation. A second creation was the 'Trolli-Burger' of which approximately 2 billion pieces have been sold to this day. Such sales were greatly appreciated by the US candy market as the Hamburger is an important part of the American food culture.[3] Herbert Mederer's ideas were soon thereafter rewarded with the 1993 Candy Kettle Award.[4] Meanwhile consumers ensured that TROLLI sales would continue to grow. The founding of the subsidiary company TROLLI Iberica S.A. in Valencia (Spain) in 1994, and the installation of a production site in Jakarta (Indonesia) in 1997 greatly improved the Mederer Group´s international capabilities. In order to increase packaging variety and ensure independence in that department, the Mederer Group soon expanded towards Pilsen (Czech Republic) where TROLLI Bohemia was created.

Timeline

Sub-branches

Efrutti, the specialist for 'premium fruit gummies', was integrated into the Mederer Group in 1998. This was aimed towards a broadening of premium quality gummy products. With already two production sites in Boizenburg and Hagenow, Gummi Bear Factory was taken over (2000) in order to ensure production and supply at level with the continued increasing demand for TROLLI products.

Efrutti Logo

Certifications

Controversy

In 2004, Trolli introduced a gummi candy in the shape of chickens, squirrels, and snakes with tire tracks on them like they had been run over by a vehicle. Animal rights activists spoke out about the candy in an effort to get it off of the market. Kraft Foods, then the owner of the Trolli US brand which had introduced this product, pulled it from the market.[8][9][10]

Advertising projects

Trolli Arena (Formerly Playmobil-arena)

In 2010, Trolli engaged in sponsoring SpVgg Greuther Fürth and subsequently named the team's stadium Trolli Arena.

Trolli also regularly produces candies for specific football teams such as Bayern Munich.[11]

Manufacturing plants and factories

TROLLI in Fürth, Germany

The Trolli factory and offices in Fürth is the main base of operations for the Mederer Group, despite the factory being the least developed and smallest one.

Hagenow, Germany

The TROLLI infrastructure in Hagenow, consists of an exceptional warehouse in Mecklenburg-Pomerania which has now been used by the Mederer group since 2007. It is large in size, self-sufficient, entirely automatic and extremely efficient. Keeping the warehouse up to date with the levels of production and demand is important for its effective use of time and space. Hence a good effective communication is essential between all of the plants and factories.

Guangzhou China

In order to widen export market possibilities, in 2001, Mederer built, together with the Spanish 'Multi Joyco', a new production site in Guangzhou, China. Three years later Mederer took over 100% of the Joint Venture and gave it a new name: TROLLI Guangzhou Confectionery Co. Ltd. China. Through China, the Mederer group gained access to neighbouring markets such as Australia and New Zealand as well as USA, Canada and Saudi Arabia.

Valencia, Spain

TROLLI Iberica is the main provider and producer of Halal products within the Mederer Group.

Pilsen, Czech Republic

NO LONGER OPEN, TROLLI Pilsen was the main packaging plant within the various factories.

Venezuela

The TROLLI factory in Venezuela is currently under construction.

Production

Gelatine is the base ingredient used to make the gummy product. Generally only the highest quality of animal gelatine is used in the production. TROLLI’s products are produced in facilities that are IFS[12] certified. The Mederer group also includes a quality management (system) team who audit the suppliers of raw materials. In addition, all of the raw materials, such as gelatine or the finished product itself, are assessed and analysed by external, accredited laboratories and independent food technologists/specialists. Traceability from the finished product, back to each raw material is thus made possible.

Production of the gummy

Step 1: Delivery and preparation of raw materials such as glucose, sugar, gelatine, color and aroma or flavour. All raw materials are examined upon delivery before they are mixed in the ‘kitchen.’

Step 2: Mixture of the raw materials.

Step 3: Colour, aroma and acidity are all added in measured amounts.

Step 4: The gummy gelatine mix is then poured (by a machine) into powder-starch filled, wooden trays which have just previously been stamped by the specific molds of the desired gummy shape.

Step 5: The molds/trays are then stored in a closed room which is kept at 25°C with roughly 35-40% relative humidity. The starch on the gummies must have a limit of 7.5% humidity (or remaining moisture) to take the water out of the gummy mix in a limited drying time which is around 36–48 hours. Temperatures and levels are extremely important if the gummy is to be ready for packaging within the limited amount of time. If not, the gummy is likely to be too soft and may stick together.

Step 6: The gummies are then passed through an air pressure chamber where the starch is ‘blown’ off.

Step 7: The gummies are then passed through a revolving cylinder where they are coated with oil to avoid sticking to each other. Some of the gummy products are passed through an alternative revolving tunnel which also coats them with sugar (for sugar coated products, such as apple rings, peach rings).

Step 8: The gummies continue onto a moving belt where they are examined for defects.

Step 9: The gummies then continue to a multi-head weighing machine, where they are weighed into baskets and according to the amount needed per bag (i.e. 250g, 300g, 500g), various baskets of the machine are opened at the same time to attain the correct weight. The gummies then continue towards packaging.

Step 10: The gummies are then deposited into bags which are heat sealed, passed through a detection unit and then sent to the next packaging area where they are weighed once more and then boxed.

Step 11: The gummies are now ready for shipping.

Products

TROLLI includes a variety of products which can be categorized into the following sections; Original, Sour, Soft, Special, Liquorice, Extra Fruity, Marshmallows, Gelatine-free, Gluten, Vegetarian, Not for Lactose Intolerant and Halal products.

Invented by Mederer)

Sour

Soft

Special

Liquorice

Extra fruity

Marshmallows

Gelatine-free

Gluten products (products made with wheat flour)

Products unsuitable for lactose-intolerance

Products suitable for vegetarians

(the gelling agent is not gelatine but either starch or pectin)

Halal certified products

U.S. products

Trolli Strawberry Puffs

References

  1. ↑ Presse-Information, Mederer Süßwarenvertriebs GmbH - Fürth, November 2009
  2. ↑ http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1674.html
  3. ↑ http://www.popsense.com/2008/07/hamburger-salute-to-american-culture.html
  4. ↑ http://candyhalloffame.org/CHoF/inductees/2003/herbert-w-mederer.shtml
  5. ↑ http://www.webislam.com/?idt=8896
  6. ↑ http://www.cs-retailing.com/Articles/Manufacturing/2010/05/21/Catch-em-if-You-Can
  7. ↑ http://m.halalstock.com/Company.asp?sID=6562
  8. ↑ Kraft Pulls Trolli Roadkill Candy
  9. ↑ Firm hits brakes on ‘road kill’ candy
  10. ↑ 'Roadkill' sweets grind to a halt
  11. ↑ http://blog.nz-online.de/club/files/2009/11/trolli.jpg
  12. ↑ http://www.bsi-emea.com/Food+Safety/Standards/IFS.xalter

External links