Kalev (confectioner)
The joint stock company AS Kalev is the largest Estonian confectionery manufacturers.
Precursor
The predecessor of the company was founded in August 1806, when the Swiss confectioner Lorenz Caviezel in the Old Town of Tallinn, a confectionery founded with a shop. In 1864 the Baltic German Johann Georg Stude from Narva owner of the company. He invested heavily in the company and bought to the adjacent house. Studes famous Café Maiasmokk ( German or about Sweet Tooth Sweet Tooth ) exists to this day. Especially his marzipan figures and other handmade chocolate products soon became known beyond the borders of Estonia addition. Early 20th century included the Russian Czar for regular customers.
Shortly after obtaining the Estonian independence, the brothers Karl and Kolla Wellner founded in 1921 also in Tallinn Old Town, the confectionery company Kawe. She soon rose to become the largest chocolate company in Estonia. In addition Kawe exported a large part of its production to the United Kingdom and France, but also in the USA, North Africa, India and China.
Besides this there existed in the interwar period, three other major Estonian confectionery company ( Ginovker, founded in 1906, fire man, founded in 1901, and Klausson, founded in 1920 ) and numerous smaller as Riola, end position, Eelis or efect.
Kalev during the Soviet occupation
With the Soviet occupation of Estonia in 1940 all companies were nationalized. On April 1, 1948 Kawe and other existing chocolate factories of the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic was established the company Kalev from the company. The former name Kawe was rejected on ideological grounds, as he recalled the original founders. Was chosen as patron Kalev, the mythological king before the Christianisation of Estonia Estonian.
Kalev was considered a socialist model company with high quality standards. 1957 Uus Kalev ( " New Kalev " ) was also founded in Tallinn as a modern chocolate factory. 1962 were pooled and Uus Kalev Kalev. The operating he supplied Estonia and the entire Soviet Union in confectionery and was known and also popular abroad.
Kalev today
After regaining independence Estonian Kalev was led market economy since 1991 and privatized in 1995. Since 1996, AS Kalev is listed on the Tallinn Stock Exchange. The capital is situated mostly in Estonian hand.
Kalev 2003 placed the Chocolate Factory from the outskirts of Tallinn in a new, ultra-modern complex in the town of Rae ( Harju County ).
Today, AS Kalev is the largest confectionery company in Estonia, which also includes twelve cafés and pastry shops are. In addition, Kalev is under the company name AS Vilma also produces bakery products. The main markets are in addition to the Baltics Scandinavia and Russia. The company currently employs approximately 770 employees.
Since 2004, the company supports the Estonian cycling team Kalev Chocolate Team as a sponsor.