Exclusive: Katjes managing shareholder Tobias Bachmüller anticipates a strong ISM

With ISM fast-approaching, editor Neill Barston speaks to Tobias Bachmüller, a managing shareholder of key German confectionery firm, Katjes, which will be returning to this year’s event. He discusses the key upcoming show in Cologne, and on being a keynote speaker for our next World Confectionery Conference.

As Tobias Bachmüller notes, to return in the role of president of Caobisco European confectionery trade body represents a rare privilege indeed, and one he appears to be greatly enjoying.

His re-election to the role that he first held between 2012-14 comes at an especially momentous period for the sector, which has undergone a notable degree of turbulence.

With the world’s economies continuing to grapple with major geopolitical issues surrounding Ukraine, Gaza, and now unfolding events in South America, as well supply chain tests and the prospect of groundbreaking legislative reforms in the form of upcoming EUDR and corporate due diligence laws on the horizon, the stakes for all concerned, could not appear higher than they are right now.

Regarding his role with Caobisco, as Confectionery Production recently reports at the organisation’s recent annual event in Brussels, its newly re-introduced president, bolstered by decades of broader industry experience, believed that events would find a level in terms of common ground being found on what appears an extensive list of core issues to be resolved.

Notably, the Katjes senior executive struck an upbeat tone for proceedings, explaining that he was optimistic that major regulatory challenges including EUDR, and trade deals such as Mercosur with South American nations can be resolved positively in spite of challenges in implementing these agreements.

One such place which has proved especially fruitful for discussing shared challenges has been at the key ISM show, which runs between 1-4 February, and as Bachmüller adds, “Katjes now has the largest stand at the event,” making it a prime moment to engage with both new and existing customers, as the business continues to expand its reach. (Katjes is at Hall 10.2, F010-G29, where it will be showcasing its latest ranges for 2026. Watch our exclusive video preview of the event with its show directors below.

As we previously reported, Caobisco, while enjoying support from members that include the very highest tiers of the sector including representatives from Barry Callebaut, Cargill, Mars, Ferrero and Nestle, it has continued to work hard in representing the interests of the confectionery industry as a whole within the region.

In total, some 98% of its members are SME enterprises, and as such it has played a core role in lending a public voice on major policy issues on everything from calling for the EU to deliver more open trading policies with the rest of the world, through to supporting the legal rights of small businesses operating in the region.

As its five-year manifesto highlights, presently the European sector it represents involves a total of 280,470 direct employees across more than 14,000 companies operating with a combined turnover of €59 billion, with imports of €3 billion and exports amounting to over €15 billion – the sector’s contribution to EU coffers is impressive.

In terms of health agendas, the organisation has continued to champion its ongoing ‘Treatwell’ campaign promoting responsible enjoyment of confectionery and snacks, with the group maintaining that it is important that the industry’s place within overall diets of consumers should be carefully considered.

As for the organisation’s leader, it seems he’s clearly relishing the prospect of being back again –

“It’s an honour and a pleasure being president of Caobisco. We have a big industry, and one that is sometimes over-regulated, so it’s important that we work on this in Brussels,” he notes.

Significantly, in relation to the much-promised EUDR regulations compelling companies to be transparent in their supply chains, he believes that the additional delay of an extra year until the end of 2026, may benefit smaller companies in allowing sufficient time to achieve compliance with such major legislation.

However, he says that Caobisco and its members are clear that the objectives of such sustainability goals are of critical importance, and must be delivered.

He said: “There’s no discussion that this is needed, but it’s a question of those who have the most contact, those major companies that should be the most responsible for the legislation. But we of course support EUDR – and nobody can tolerate other issues like child labour and trafficking, so these need to be addressed,” he observes of the landmark legal frameworks that hold much promise, yet have been subjected to continued frustrating delays.

Company development
As for his own background in the industry, while he spent some time in the broader sector prior to joining Katjes, the sweet manufacturer has offered him a great platform to evolve his career.

He added: “I have now spent some 30 years working with the Fassin family there- including Bastian Fassin for 21 years, and we have seen it grow a lot from that time, and we’ve been surprised by its success.

It’s about the combination of being both active in the industry and our company, as well as this association – we think it’s very important to work in being part, as you are influencing the weather around you. Whereas there are a lot of companies that are not part of associations, and just complain about the weather,” he smiles, recounting his long connection to the company, which saw him become a managing partner of the business in the mid 1990s.

The company has gone on to significant growth in expanding its presence across Europe and beyond, rising to deliver one of the most prominent stands on the key ISM event, which returns to Cologne next month.

It seems he remains especially passionate about being part of the sector, and its wider role in an industry that continues to evolve at a significant pace.

“Most people think that confectionery is just about sugar – it’s much more than that, it’s very emotional. We have an emotional connection to brands and experiences and memories of grandparents, so that places the industry on a different level, and that’s why you find that many people in the business are very open compared to other industries,” he notes of his time in the sector, noting that there is a fun side to life that is reflected in their work.

“This past year has been an unbelievably good one for Katjes,, especially in Germany, and the UK, which is an important market for us where we’re acquiring a key brand (Graze),” adding that the business was looking forward to its return to Cologne.

Looking further ahead, his own commitment in the UK, speaking at the World Confectionery Conference beckons this September, which he is also keenly awaiting.

He added:  “I’m looking forward to being at the World Confectionery Conference, which will also give me chance to see my daughter, who is there in London. Our company, Katjes, also has a big business in the UK with ‘Percy Pig,’ as well Candy Kittens, so there are many reasons to be there,” enthused the president, who acknowledged the importance of physical events such as our conference was vital for furthering discussion on major issues facing the sector.