History

The Foundation
1905

The Foundation

Friedrich Johann Wernli laid the foundation for the company in 1905 when he opened a confectionery in Trimbach with his two sons. However, due to a lack of demand, the business had to close shortly thereafter.

A short time later, his 17-year-old son Fritz, with all his savings, ventured to reopen his father's business.
Takeover by the Wernli brothers
1914

Takeover by the Wernli brothers

In 1914, the two brothers Fritz and Paul Wernli took over the management of the business and founded the "Biscuit-Fabrik Gebrüder Wernli" (Wernli Brothers Biscuit Factory). This year marked the beginning of a piece of Swiss economic history.
Open to Innovation
1926

Open to Innovation

The Wernli brothers expanded their confectionery into Switzerland's first semi-automated biscuit factory. The gas-fired chain ovens were primarily suitable for dry biscuits like Petit Beurre. Just a year later, the world's first gas-fired waffle machine was installed at Wernli. This marked the birth of the Jura Wafer, with its emblem featuring the three fir trees from the coat of arms of the city of Olten.
Technological Progress
1935

Technological Progress

The chain ovens produced cookies at a rapid pace, which even the fastest box sealers found challenging to keep up with. In collaboration with SIG in Neuhausen, a packaging line was developed specifically for Wernli, later sold worldwide under the name GRA.

Shortly thereafter, "Knuspergold" (Crunchy Gold) was introduced - 27 delicate wafers for only twenty cents.

For the first time, food was kept crispy in an airtight foil. This little gift had lasting value and trumpeted loudly to the world: Good ideas are worth gold.
Fierce Competition
1948

Fierce Competition

In the national competition, the competitor Oulevay from Morges emerged as the winner of the Second World War. Oulevay invested in new facilities, which cost a fortune and nearly cost the Wernli brothers their existence. The new, low-priced "Oulevay Cookies" flooded Switzerland. Ideas were in demand.

During this time, the red Wernli logo was created, which still stands as a guarantee of quality on all packages. Since 1948, this lettering has given the brand its face.
A classic
1958

A classic

In 1958, Wernli created Japonais, a biscuit that surpassed everything that had come before. This fine meringue-based biscuit with hazelnut cream filling and delicate almond flakes was based on an old and popular pastry recipe and was previously only available in the finest confectioneries. Another classic was born.
The Breakthrough
1965

The Breakthrough

At a time when television was still in its infancy and the Swiss people were captivated by the black-and-white scenes in restaurants and cafés, Wernli was the first company in the industry to have a television commercial.

The success was overwhelming. A year earlier, Wernli launched another classic. Inspired by the popular snack of bread with a piece of chocolate, Fritz Wernli created the most beloved biscuit in Switzerland: Choco Petit Beurre.
United Rivals
1972

United Rivals

By chance, as the story goes, Fritz Wernli Jr. and his rival Jean-Pierre Oulevay from Morges met on the Aare Bridge in Olten.

This encounter went down in the history of both companies, as a collaboration was sealed with a handshake on the bridge, and the rivals merged in 1972 to form the Interbiscuit-Holding.
Market leader
1982

Market leader

Late in the 1970s, Wernli produced a series of commercials for Swiss television that stood out for their light and dialogue-oriented style. During this time, the famous slogan "Me het de Wernli eifach gernli" was created, and popularity and likability skyrocketed almost overnight. This eventually led to Wernli becoming the market leader in Switzerland in 1982.

Oldies: Es stimmt wirklich, sagt der Bäcker
Oldies: Es stimmt wirklich, sagt der Bäcker
Commercials 1990
1990

Commercials 1990

1990: Ofenfrisch aus der Backstube
1990: Ofenfrisch aus der Backstube
Concentration of Forces
1992

Concentration of Forces

In Trimbach, the most modern biscuit factory in Europe was built in 1992. Since then, the company has had a consolidated and efficient production system, allowing Wernli to further expand its market-leading position.

Shortly after, Oulevay in Morges closed its own production facility. Six years later, the Oulevay brand was integrated into Wernli. The top products of Oulevay (such as Chocoly and Florentin) were added to Wernli's product range.
Commercials 2001-2004
2001

Commercials 2001-2004

2001: Das neue Original von Wernli
2001: Das neue Original von Wernli
2002: Schlägerei beim Kaffekränzchen
2002: Schlägerei beim Kaffekränzchen
Wernli Firmenfilm 2004 - Deutsch
Wernli Firmenfilm 2004 - Deutsch
Acquisition by HUG AG
2008

Acquisition by HUG AG

In May 2008, HUG AG, a family-owned company founded in 1877 in Lucerne, acquired Wernli. HUG has been led by the 4th generation of Andreas and Werner Hug and through this acquisition, obtained the missing "chocolate leg" in their product lineup.

The Wernli brand remains intact, and through joint distribution, the successful continuity of both brands is ensured.
Commercials 2011
2011

Commercials 2011

2011: Hoch sollen sie heben.
2011: Hoch sollen sie heben.
Commercials 2016
2016

Commercials 2016

Wernli TV-Spot Teilreimerei «Nachbar» 2016 (Deutsch)
Wernli TV-Spot Teilreimerei «Nachbar» 2016 (Deutsch)
Wernli TV-Spot Teilreimerei «Spielplatz» 2016 (Deutsch)
Wernli TV-Spot Teilreimerei «Spielplatz» 2016 (Deutsch)
Wernli TV-Spot Teilreimerei «Rastplatz» 2016 (Deutsch)
Wernli TV-Spot Teilreimerei «Rastplatz» 2016 (Deutsch)
Commercials 2019
2019

Commercials 2019

Wernli Spot «Office» 2019 (Deutsch)
Wernli Spot «Office» 2019 (Deutsch)
Wernli Spot «WG» 2019 (Deutsch)
Wernli Spot «WG» 2019 (Deutsch)
Relocation of production from Trimbach to Malters
2020-2022

Relocation of production from Trimbach to Malters

In the new backhaus in Malters, Wernli production from Trimbach has been merged with HUG AG at the company headquarters. This allows considerable synergies to be realised in production and logistics. The merger has created one of the most modern production centres for baked goods in Switzerland in the municipality of Malters.
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