Haribo’s Sweet Rise From Humble Beginnings   

• Today, Haribo is a global corporation with branches worldwide. But this confectionery empire, which now produces about 160 million Goldbears each day, had a very humble beginning in the kitchen of a regular house in Bonn, Germany. According to the company website, founder Hans Riegel had little more than a copper pot, a rolling pin, and a stove when he first started his business in 1920. But the lack of resources or capital did not stop him from developing bear-shaped candy ? the Dancing Bears, later rebranded as Goldbears. During the 1930s, the company enjoyed relative success. However, the business took a turn for the worse during World War II, partly due to the shortage of raw materials; Haribo nearly had to close production. In 1945, Riegel died, leaving his wife and two sons to revive the company. Under their leadership, the company recovered and expanded. Haribo’s story shows how a simple idea, supported by persistence, can grow into a global legacy. Hyundong Lee Staff Reporter junior/1778115729/1613367831