History

Where old world craftsmanship meets new world tastes.

More than 330 years ago in 1688, the history of Lambertz began when a small bakery was founded in the venerable imperial city of Aachen, laying the foundation for Germany’s oldest confectionery brand. To this day, Lambertz, now in its ninth generation, is 100% family-owned.

Having started out as a pure Printen manufacturer, Lambertz now offers a versatile range of year-round products in addition to the classic seasonal pastries and in the process become one of the top 5 cookie makers in the world. Our goal is to always dynamically adapt the assortment to changing customer wishes.

In fact, more than half of our business today comes from products that were developed in the last 30 years. Currently, the company employs 4,000 people in 8 factories and and is unchanged 100% owned by the sole owner Dr. Hermann Bühlbecker. And we are continually expanding our reach globally. Because cookies this good should be available to everyone.

As part of this strategy Lambertz decided to open an US office in 2007 in order to maximize its potential in the North American market.

Join us on a short journey through time …

September 1688

Founding of a bakery at the market in Aachen

1831

Invention of the Lambertz “Kräuterprinte”

1860

The master baker and confectioner Henry Lambertz takes over the bakery in the “Haus zur Sonne”.

1872

Invention of the “Schokoprinte”

Lambertz is awarded the title of “purveyor to the royal court” and supplies the Prussian, Dutch and Belgian royal families

1899

The brand name Henry Lambertz becomes a protected word mark

1938

Introduction  of the “Saftprinte”

1943 – 1947

Destruction of 75% of the factory facilities in the 2nd World War

1946

Karl Kittelberger takes over the company

1963

New factory built on the outer suburd of Aachen in Laurensberg

1977

Dr. Hermann Bühlbecker takes over the company in the 9th generation

1978

Entry into the market for “Dominosteine”

1984

Expansion of seasonal products & introduction of  the all year round products under the Lambertz brand name

1988

Participation in Otten GmbH & Co. KG, Erkelenz

1989

Acquisition of Heemann Lebkuchen- und Süßwaren-Spezialitäten GmbH (founded  in 1839)

1994

Acquisition of Max Weiss Lebkuchenfabrik Neu-Ulm GmbH (1925) and Ferdinand Wolff GmbH & Co. KG (founded  in 1839)

1998

Foundation of Lambertz Polonia Sp. z o.o. in Poland

1999

Acquisition of the traditional brand Wilhelm Kinkartz GmbH & Co. KG (1872) and Vereinigte Nürnberger Lebkuchen- und Schokoladenfabrik Haeberlein-Metzger  (founded  in 1598)

2007

Expansion into the USA with founding the Henry Lambertz Inc.

2014

Majority shareholding in Dr. Quendt GmbH & Co. KG (founded in 1991)

2015

Acquisition of Nürnberger Lebkuchen und Dauerbackwarenfabrik ifri Schuhmann GmbH & Co. KG (founded in 1938) and Wendler Nougat GmbH & Co. KG (founded in 1906) from Nuremberg

2018

Acquisition of Dr. Quendt GmbH & Co. KG to 100%.

2021

333rd company anniversary

2022

Acquisition Otten GmbH & Co. KG, Erkelenz