Sollich KG from Bad Salzuflen/Germany celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. This family-operated company is one of the leading suppliers of machine technology for the manufacture of chocolate products and other confectionery, as well as for pastry processing. The tradition-rich company’s portfolio is unequalled.
By Dr. Bernhard Reichenbach
From delicious chocolate bars to exquisite pralines and tasty bonbons – the secret behind many of today’s sweet delicacies is the technology supplied by Sollich. The company, based in Bad Salzuflen in Germany’s North Rhine-Westphalia region, has been developing and manufacturing machinery for the confectionery industry for 100 years and still stands today for innovative, comprehensive solutions. The Sollich clientele stretches from confectionery operations with a handmade approach to the industry’s major mass producers. With a current staff of 450 employees, Sollich is one of the market leaders today, with a global market share of between 50 and 80 %, depending on the product group. “Around 85 percent of our revenue is generated through worldwide export”, says Thomas Sollich, who has led the company since 1997.
It all started in 1920 with the foundation of a bakery and confectionery operation in the town of Ratibor in Upper Silesia by Robert Sollich, the grandfather of today’s Managing Director. In 1928, the venture moved to the city of Rostock where it also founded an operation for confectionery machinery and developed the world’s first vacuum sugar boiling machine, the Sollkoch. What started with this machine was continuously expanded over the course of generations. Today, the Sollich production programme includes everything from lines for forming, extrusion and cutting to fully automated chocolate enrobing systems including tempering machinery and cooling tunnels. These days, complete bar production facilities comprised of these units are combined in almost classic fashion for every bar product.
For chocolate processing, praline forming and bar manufacture, Sollich additionally offers mixing, dosage and screening systems, as well as tanks and pumps. The portfolio also includes corresponding solutions for biscuit, wafer and gingerbread finishing. The company Chocotech GmbH from Wernigerode/Germany, belonging to the Sollich family since 1991, can be integrated for the production of sugar masses to be processed. This means that practically all confectionery can be produced using Sollich systems – from the raw materials through to the finished products.
Manufacturing modern, high-performance machinery for the confectionery industry is no picnic. With the wide range of confectionery products, mass production of the corresponding machinery is virtually impossible. Sollich’s strength is its ability to come up with special solutions customized to accommodate the individual needs of the particular customer. “Strictly speaking, what we supply is not machinery per se, but rather process technology know-how”, explains Thomas Sollich. “We constantly consider the customer’s wishes and the particular requirements for the individual product. Sometimes, this ultimately means a completely new construction is required – while still maintaining short delivery times”. With increasing automation and in a world of ever-more rapid change, it is precisely this flexibility that distinguishes Sollich and stands at the core of the company philosophy.
Mr Sollich points out more of the company’s strengths. “The process technology expertise we’ve gathered in our 100-year company history enables us to quickly find the right solution for each of our customers’ products. Together with our subsidiary Chocotech, we supply the entire production process from a single source”. The company’s global standing and market leadership are based on keeping and continually developing tried-and-proven principles, and it will continue to be managed in this spirit.
All of the company’s essential segments are digitalized, and the complete construction is conducted in 3D. And to ensure that Sollich continues to remain at the cutting edge, a large portion of its profits is invested in Research & Development. Over the years, large-scale investments have also been made in new production halls in order to build the machinery with greater efficiency and flexibility. The site has been expanded by almost 40 %, and the machinery is manufactured in the most up-to-date fashion so as to ensure high quality.
A modern technology centre equipped with the very latest production machinery and measurement equipment contributes to maintaining the high technical and qualitative standards of Sollich’s solutions. The finished systems are practice-tested, and the company provides training for the customer’s skilled labour personnel. Mr. Sollich notes: “In this regard, we also help our customers with product development on the basis of the respective raw materials required”.
And there are some more positive points, as Mr Sollich explains: “Our global sales team and our top-class customer service ensure the satisfaction of our customers all over the world. Whenever needed, our service technicians can provide support through the Sollich ‘Fast Lane’ online portal for the start-up of systems, but also for restarting production quickly when problems occur. In the current situation, this digital service we provide is helping our customers significantly”.
