Brandt Story

With an iron will in 1912, 26-year old baker and confectioner Carl Brandt founded the "Märkische Zwieback- und Keksfabrik" (MZK) in Hagen. The aim was to produce affordable rusks (a rectangular, hard, dry biscuit) and sponge cakes for their customers. Zwieback (a type of crispy, sweetened bread) became a classic of the baby and toddler diet of the 20th century. In 1929, they engineered and patented the first rusk-cutting machine. During the 1930s and 40s MZK turned to food; in 1933 the slogan on the package read "Ärtztlich anerkannter beliebter deutscher Zwieback" (the medically recommended popular German Zwieback). During the "Wirtschaftswunder" (rapid reconstruction and development after World War II) in the 50s, the company grew at an explosive rate, due for the most part to Betty Brandt, second wife to Carl Brandt. She was a real matriarch, her regime at the company was strict, her social commitment legendary.

Her son Carl-Jürgen Brandt became her successor and sole owner of the company. Only after the death of his mother was he able to establish his own vision of a modern factory. His ideas would lead the move to East Germany in 2003. Something he pursued in spite of opposition from the states of North-Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) and Thuringia. The population of Hagen/NRW was in shock as the former Hagen bakery reemerged as a large enterprise with over 1000 employees. Starting out in the East German town of Ohrdruf, despite many trials and tribulations, they succeeded. During the same period of time, GDR crisp bread having gained cult status became part of the Brandt Imperium (empire). The company is headed by Carl-Jürgen Brandt the son of the company founder. Famous for the quality of their products; today the company is almost 100 years old. It is known for a variety of products including its famous liqueur chocolate covered beans.