SwedenQuick Facts
Overview
Cloetta AB is one of the largest confectionery companies in Northern Europe, with a history stretching back to 1862 when Swiss-born Christoph Cloëtta and his brothers founded a candy factory in Malmö, Sweden. Today, Cloetta's products are sold across seven markets — Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands, Germany, and the UK — and its brands are among the most recognised in the region.
The company is best known for iconic Nordic brands such as Läkerol (the leading pastille in Sweden), Malaco (fruity gummies), Ahlgrens bilar (Sweden's best-selling candy car), Kexchoklad (a wafer chocolate bar beloved since 1938), and the Dutch liquorice brand Red Band. Through its CandyKing concept, Cloetta also operates pick & mix solutions in retail stores across the Nordic countries and Netherlands.
In 2024, Cloetta generated SEK 9.6 billion in net sales with an operating profit of SEK 315 million in Q4 2025 alone — capping what the company described as a "successful year with exceptionally strong profit." With a net debt/EBITDA ratio of just 0.7x and a proposed dividend of SEK 1.40 per share, Cloetta enters 2026 in a financially strong position.
Despite being publicly traded, Cloetta has a clear controlling shareholder: AB Malfors Promotor, the investment vehicle of the Svenfelt-Trotzig family, which controls 43% of votes with 32.8% of the share capital through a dual-class share structure.
History
Cloetta's story spans more than 160 years of confectionery history across multiple mergers and transformations:
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1862 | Christoph Cloëtta and brothers found a candy factory in Malmö, Sweden |
| 1872 | Factory moved to Ljungsbro, which remains one of Cloetta's largest production sites today |
| 2000 | Merged with Fazer Konfektyr to form Cloetta Fazer, creating a leading Nordic confectionery group |
| 2008 | Demerged from Fazer; Cloetta relisted as an independent company on Nasdaq Stockholm |
| 2012 | Transformative merger with LEAF International, acquiring Red Band, Venco, Chewits, Sportlife, Jenkki, Tupla and other brands |
| 2016 | Acquired CandyKing, a leading pick & mix concept and supplier operating across the Nordics |
| Today | Leading confectionery company across the Nordics, Netherlands, Germany, and UK; 6 factories in 5 countries |
Stock Listing
Cloetta AB is publicly traded on Nasdaq Stockholm under the ticker symbol CLA B (ISIN: SE0002626861). The shares also trade in the United States on OTC markets under the ticker CLOEF. Cloetta uses a dual-class share structure (Class A and Class B shares), which allows the Svenfelt-Trotzig family to retain voting control while holding a minority of the economic interest.
For the financial year 2025, Cloetta proposed a dividend of SEK 1.40 per share. Net debt/EBITDA stood at 0.7x at year-end 2025.
Ownership & Shareholders
Cloetta is publicly traded but effectively controlled by a single family holding company. As of early 2026, the major known shareholders are:
| Shareholder | Capital | Votes | Country | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AB Malfors Promotor (Svenfelt-Trotzig family) | 32.8% | 43.0% | Sweden | Family holding |
| Van Lanschot Kempen Investment Management | 6.11% | — | Netherlands | Asset Manager |
| Nordea Investment Management | 4.02% | — | Finland | Asset Manager |
| LSV Asset Management | 3.72% | — | United States | Asset Manager |
| Hjalmar Svenfelts Stiftelse | ~2.0% | — | Sweden | Foundation |
| Avanza Pension | 1.81% | — | Sweden | Platform |
| Dimensional Fund Advisors | ~1.5% | — | United States | Asset Manager |
AB Malfors Promotor holds Class A shares with higher voting weight, giving the Svenfelt-Trotzig family disproportionate control relative to their economic stake. Hjalmar Svenfelts Stiftelse is a foundation linked to the same family.
Brands & Products
Superbrands
Other Brands
Markets & Operations
Cloetta sells products in seven main markets: Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Norway (the core Nordic base), as well as the Netherlands, Germany, and the United Kingdom. The company operates 6 factories in 5 countries:
| Factory Location | Country | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Levice | Slovakia | Largest factory; produces gummies, pastilles, and pick & mix |
| Ljungsbro | Sweden | One of original sites (since 1872); chocolate and wafer production |
| Sneek | Netherlands | Dutch liquorice (Red Band, Venco) |
| Roosendaal | Netherlands | Gummies and candy production |
| Aura | Finland | Finnish brands (Jenkki, Tupla, Sisu) |
| Alingsås | Sweden | Pastilles and hard candy |
Ownership Chain
The remaining ~67% of share capital is held by institutional investors and the public, with no other single shareholder exceeding 7%. Cloetta's dual-class share structure gives Class A shareholders 10 votes per share vs. 1 vote for Class B, enabling family control without majority ownership.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources
- Wikipedia — Cloetta (accessed 10 March 2026)
- Cloetta — Investor Relations (accessed 10 March 2026)
- Cloetta — Brand Portfolio (accessed 10 March 2026)
- Cloetta — Q4 2025 Interim Report (accessed 10 March 2026)
- MarketScreener — Cloetta AB Company Profile (accessed 10 March 2026)