Trolli

Trolli
Logo since 2022
OwnerMederer GmbH (Europe and Asia)
Ferrara Candy Company (United States, Canada, Mexico)
CountryGermany
Introduced1979 (1979)
Related brandsEfrutti, Herbert's Best
MarketsConfectionery
TaglineLet the fun win / The one for fun!
WebsiteTrolli International
Trolli United States

Trolli is a confectionery brand for gummy candies sold in over 80 countries. The brand originated with the German Mederer Group, which owns the brand in the majority of the world, including Europe, Asia, Africa and South America. Mederer's United States business was sold in 1997, and the Trolli trademark in the United States, Canada, and Mexico is now used by Ferrara Candy Company.[1]

History

Origins

In 1948, Willy Mederer (died 1984)[2] founded Willy Mederer K.G. Zuckerwarenfabrik, a company that initially produced pasta in Fürth, Germany. When post-war sugar rationing regulations were lifted, the company changed production from pasta to confectionery.[3] Candies were sold under the Wilmed brand, a portmanteau of Willy Mederer. In 1984, Willy Mederer died. He was succeeded by his son Herbert.

In 1979, the brand name Trolli der Bär (English Trolli the Bear) was registered, which was shortened to Trolli in the following years.[4][5] During the 1980s, Trolli became active in both the German and United States confectionery markets.[6] Trolli varieties were added, including sour flavors, double-layered gummies with foam made using starch mogul machines and the "Trolli-Burger". Mederer received the 1993 Candy Kettle Award.[7]

In the United States

In the 1980s, Trolli exports to North America grew to 40 tons per day, and in 1986, Mederer built a production facility in Creston, Iowa.[8] In 1996, Mederer sold Trolli's United States operations to Favorite Brands International.[9] The United States operations and trademark rights were subsequently owned by Nabisco (1999), Kraft Foods (2000), Wrigleys (2005), and Farley's & Sathers Candy Company (2006)[10] which was merged with Ferrara Candy Company in 2013, which still holds the American rights to Trolli as of 2026.[11]

In 2004, Trolli introduced a roadkill themed gummy candy in the shape of chickens, squirrels, and snakes with tire tracks on them. Kraft Foods, then the owner of the Trolli United States brand, pulled the candy from the market in 2005 in response to protests.[12][13]

Europe and Asia

In 1994, Mederer founded a subsidiary, Trolli Iberica S.A., in Valencia, Spain.[14] A production site was opened in Jakarta, Indonesia, in 1997; it was later sold again in the 2000s.[15][16] Between 1995 and 2013, the Mederer Group also operated a packaging plant in Plzeň, Czech Republic.[17][18]

Efruti, a fruit gummy brand from Neunburg vorm Wald, was acquired by the Mederer Group in 1998; its name was subsequently adapted to eFrutti and continued as a brand. Two years later, the company Gummi Bear Factory, with production facilities in Boizenburg and Hagenow in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, was acquired from the Barry-Callebaut Group.[19] At the beginning of 2012, the three previously independent companies in Germany (in Fürth, Neunburg vorm Wald, and Hagenow) were merged and rebranded as Trolli GmbH, which itself is part of the Mederer Group.[20][21] In 2015, the production facility in Boizenburg was sold to The European Candy Group (TECG).[22][23]

Mederer Group is still owned by the Mederer family including Herbert Mederer, the founder's son.[24]

Ownership and sites

While the Ferrara Candy Company owns the trademark rights for Trolli in the United States, Canada, and Mexico the Trolli GmbH – as part of the Mederer Group – holds the rights in Europe and Asia. The Trolli GmbH has its headquarters in Fürth, and has production sites in Neunburg vorm Wald and Hagenow, both Germany.[25] In Europe, Trolli GmbH owns a further manufacturing plant in Valencia, Spain. In 2001, the company expanded into China and established a joint venture with the Spanish company Multi Joyco in Guangzhou, including another production facility. In 2004, Mederer acquired full ownership.[26] From China, Trolli exports its products to nations in Asia, Australasia, North America and the Middle East.

Products

The product portfolio includes a variety of sour, fruity, vegan, and soft gummy candies.

Sponsorship

Trolli GmbH sponsored the football club SpVgg Greuther Fürth from 2010 to 2014, during which time their home stadium was named the Trolli Arena.[27]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Sour Gummy Worms, Sour Bears, Sour Candy | Trolli". Trolli.com.
  2. ^ "Trolli – Mach Dein Leben trolliger!". Lebensmittel Praxis (in German). 2015-07-01. Retrieved 2024-09-25.
  3. ^ "Trolli – history". Trolli. Archived from the original on 2011-07-19.
  4. ^ "Über Trolli". Trolli (in German). Retrieved 2025-09-29.
  5. ^ "Seit wann besteht die Marke Trolli?". Deutsche Lebensmittel-Rundschau. 2019-06-05. p. 63.
  6. ^ "Mit Kreativität und Herzblut zum Erfolg" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-08-16. Retrieved 2025-09-29.
  7. ^ "Herbert W. Mederer". Candy Hall of Fame. National Confectionery Sales Association. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
  8. ^ "Fürth: Playmobil-Stadion wird zur Trolli-Arena!". Abendzeitung (in German). 2009-11-17. Retrieved 2025-05-22.
  9. ^ "Haribo produziert in den USA und plant zweites Werk in der Türkei". Handelsblatt. Retrieved 2025-05-22.
  10. ^ "Wrigley Sells North American Trolli Business". Convenience Store News. Stagnito Business Information and Edgell Communications. 28 November 2005. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
  11. ^ "Farley's & Sathers and Ferrara Pan Complete Merger". PR Newswire (Press release). Retrieved 2016-04-08.
  12. ^ "'Roadkill' sweets grind to a halt". BBC News. 2005-02-26. Retrieved 2016-04-08.
  13. ^ "Firm hits brakes on 'road kill' candy". NBC News. 2005-02-25. Retrieved 2016-04-08.
  14. ^ "Trolli: Herbert Mederer übergibt Zepter an seinen Sohn". Deutsche Lebensmittel-Rundschau (in German). 2016-01-20. Retrieved 2024-09-25.
  15. ^ "Die Geschichte von Trolli". Sweets.ch (in Swiss High German). 2023-08-02. Retrieved 2024-09-25.
  16. ^ Röbke, Thomas (July 2009). "Interview Herbert Mederer: Der selige Zweite". brand eins. pp. 80–85.
  17. ^ Köhler, Niels (2013-10-09). "Trolli zieht sich aus Tschechien zurück". Prag Aktuell (in German). Retrieved 2024-09-25.
  18. ^ "Spielzeugfirma Bruder investiert in Pilsen". Radio Prague International (in German). 2014-09-08. Retrieved 2024-09-25.
  19. ^ Büttner, Grit (2003-12-17). "Boizenburg wird zur Metropole der Gummibärchen". Die Welt (in German). Retrieved 2016-04-08.
  20. ^ "Fairtrade bei Trolli". Lebensmittel Zeitung. 2012-02-03. p. 56.
  21. ^ "Trolli GmbH, Fürth". North Data (in German). Retrieved 2025-09-29.
  22. ^ Tietze, Iris; Murmann, Christoph (2017-01-27). "Fruchtgummi: Trolli blickt nach vorne". Lebensmittel Zeitung (in German). Retrieved 2025-09-29.
  23. ^ Murmann, Christoph. "Trolli verkauft Werk in Boizenburg". Immobilien Zeitung (in German). Archived from the original on 2021-08-17. Retrieved 2025-09-29.
  24. ^ Neuhaus, Andreas (2017-03-20). "Nicolas Mederer wird Trolli-Chef: Die Nachfolge früh geklärt" (in German). Retrieved 2026-03-09.
  25. ^ Numrich, Oliver (2020-03-04). "Buntes Trolli Sortiment: Apfelringe, Würmer, Glotzer und mehr". naschkater.com. Retrieved 2021-08-17.
  26. ^ "Trolli: History". Archived from the original on 2013-03-03. Retrieved 2025-09-29.
  27. ^ "Trolli-Arena und Pizza Hut Park: Die skurrilsten Stadionnamen". T-Online (in German). 2017-03-31. Retrieved 2026-03-09.
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