Riegelein welcomes six new apprentices in four training professions
At the beginning of September, six new apprentices began their training at the chocolate specialist Riegelein in Franconian Cadolzburg. In a small welcome ceremony, the new apprentices were personally welcomed by managing partner Peter Riegelein, as has long been tradition at the Riegelein family company. In addition to a joint welcome breakfast with the trainers and apprentices from the second and third years, a production tour, a shared lunch, and a tour of the administrative offices, the new apprentices had a perfect start to begin their exciting training journey at this traditional chocolate company.
“Training has always been an essential part of our corporate philosophy and HR policy at Riegelein, to develop new employees. We qualify our apprentices as future professionals and are constantly looking for good employees. Especially young talents bring fresh ideas into the company and get to know it from the ground up during their training. An apprenticeship at Riegelein is therefore a win-win situation for both the apprentices and the company,” says Tobias Eichinger (HR Business Partner and trainer in the commercial sector at Riegelein).
This year, the chocolate manufacturer is once again training in four professions, including three industrial clerks, a warehouse logistics specialist at the Riegelein warehouse in Forchheim, an IT systems management clerk, and a confectionery technologist. For many years, the Riegelein company has successfully relied on “home-grown talent” and in-house vocational training. As a result, two former apprentices from the last training year have been offered permanent positions.
At the start of their training, the new apprentices were welcomed to the company by Managing Director Peter Riegelein (4th from left) and Tobias Eichinger (HR Business Partner and trainer in the commercial field, 1st from left).
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40 Years at Riegelein
When Frank Paezold looks back on his more than 40 years with the Cadolzburg-based chocolate company Hans Riegelein & Sohn GmbH & Co. KG, he says he would do everything exactly the same again. Nowadays, it’s become rather rare for someone to stay with the same company for such a long time. Apart from him, there are currently only two other colleagues at Riegelein who have worked at the company for a similarly long period.
It all began on September 1, 1981, with an apprenticeship as an industrial clerk. Born in Berlin, he had lost interest in school. After sending numerous applications to a wide range of companies, two made it to his shortlist. Riegelein got the nod. “Back then, apprentices were always assigned to wherever help was needed — first in sales, then in order processing, and later in IT,” says Frank Paezold. That way, you could learn a lot. What has always made Riegelein special as a family-owned company is the close-knit atmosphere — everyone knew everyone. Due to seasonal operations, the job was often stressful and the days were long. But the camaraderie among colleagues has always been exceptionally good.
Even company owner Peter Riegelein, who now runs the family business in the second generation, highly values Frank Paezold’s work and is looking forward to many more years together with this long-standing employee.
So far, everything has gone just right for Frank Paezold, as he says. Not being constantly micromanaged and being able to work independently — that was a big plus for him. It still is to this day. And as for the Rübezahl-Riegelein Group, of which Riegelein has been a part since 2019, he also sees it continuing successfully over the next five to ten years.
When he’ll eventually retire? He’s not sure yet. Officially, his last day at the company would be in 2030 — after a proud 49 years. And there’s still a bit of time until then.
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Elfriede Fischer, a native of Cadolzburg, can now proudly look back on four decades of service at Riegelein. Her career at the chocolate company began in 1980 with an apprenticeship as an industrial clerk. At the job interview, which she had with the now late company founder Hans Riegelein, her parents were even present. After successfully completing her training, she moved to the IT department of the Franconian chocolate specialist. Interrupted only by her parental leave, Elfriede Fischer later joined the sales department, where she still works today as a part-time clerk.
“What makes Riegelein special is the family-like atmosphere,” says Ms. Fischer. She has always enjoyed going to work — all the more convenient since her workplace is just a stone’s throw from her home. “It has been a very exciting time at Riegelein,” she sums up her personal conclusion after all these years.
Even after 40 years at Riegelein, she still enjoys chocolate — especially the Cadolzburger Nussbruch. In the administration department, she is now the longest-serving employee. During a special celebration, she was formally honored by Peter Riegelein, the managing partner, for her long-standing loyalty and commitment to the family business.
And an end to her career at Riegelein? Not in sight just yet.
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Outstanding Apprentices at Riegelein
The new apprentices at Riegelein began their first day of training on September 1. This year, the Franconian chocolate specialist is training five new apprentices: Linda Kundmüller and Leon Roth as industrial clerks, Simon Freund and Milan Voß as confectionery technologists, and Marcel Börner as a warehouse logistics specialist.
As is tradition at Riegelein, the new apprentices were officially welcomed during a celebratory event — this year by managing director Rüdiger Bonner.
The company has been training apprentices in various professions for many years. Riegelein sees well-qualified employees as a key factor for business success — one reason why training holds such a high priority within the company.
Among the recent graduates are Doreen Berndt (office management clerk), and Thomas Stadler, Damaris Dückminor, and Alexander Riese (industrial clerks). Of those, Doreen Berndt and Thomas Stadler were honored with a certificate of recognition from the Government of Middle Franconia for their outstanding achievements in vocational school. Additionally, Doreen Berndt was awarded the County Prize of the Fürth district for her exceptional performance in the final examination.
“A solid education has always been important at Riegelein. It gives our trainees the tools they need for their future careers — ideally continuing within our company,” says Katrin Schäfer (trainer in the commercial department).
Training new professionals has always been a priority for the Riegelein family business. “We aim to develop future employees from our trainees wherever possible, securing qualified specialists for the long term,” adds Christine Kreimer (Head of HR).
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Now Open Again for Bus Tours!!
As of June 22, 2020, we’re taking another small step toward familiar normality. From that day on, group visits and bus tours are once again possible. We’re already looking forward to your visit!
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We’re still here for you!!
For your Easter shopping, the Chocothek in Cadolzburg and our factory outlet in Niederoderwitz remain open as usual. You can find the respective opening hours here on our website or on Google. We’re looking forward to your visit!
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Fairy Tale Time at the Cadolzburg Chocothek Canceled
Due to the current developments, we kindly ask for your understanding that the scheduled visit of storyteller Barbara Maikranz on April 17, 2020 at 2:00 PM at the Riegelein Chocothek in Cadolzburg has been canceled.
For a refund or replacement of already purchased tickets, please contact: chocothek@riegelein.de
At the same time, no guided tours or tastings of open products are currently being offered.
We thank you for your understanding!
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Oderwitz Traditional Easter Egg Hunt on Pause in 2020
After celebrating its 20th anniversary on April 13, 2019, the popular children’s event “Oderwitz Easter Egg Hunt” will be taking a creative break this year.
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Apprentice in the Chocolate Factory
Susanne Reisnecker, ranked as the TOP APPRENTICE nationwide in the field of confectionery technology, talks about her profession and her experience working at Riegelein.
Article from Fürther Nachrichten, 02.01.2020
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Riegelein Relies on Its Own Well-Trained Next Generation of Skilled Workers
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Riegelein Demonstrates Chocolate Expertise:
Apprentice at Riegelein Graduates as Top of Her Class
Cadolzburg, July 19, 2019
Susanne Reisnecker not only completed her training before the Chamber of Industry and Commerce Wuppertal-Solingen-Remscheid with great success, but graduated as the top of her class in the winter and summer exams of 2018/2019 in the profession of “Confectionery Technologist,” achieving first place with 96.7 points!
We’re delighted to celebrate this great achievement together and offer our heartfelt congratulations!
The standard training period is three years, but Ms. Reisnecker was able to shorten it by one year. She was trained in the areas of confectionery, chocolate, sugar products, and long-life baked goods. During her apprenticeship, she learned how to organize workflows, operate and monitor machines and systems, and identify and resolve sources of error. Most importantly, she became familiar with recipes, ingredients, and additives, and used machinery to produce pralines, candies, and other sweets.
As her final project, Ms. Reisnecker presented her own recipe for a delicious praline named “SWEET SOURPRISE”.
The cream-colored gift cube, delicately decorated with a light green ribbon, a tiny flower, and small chocolate dots, delights the palate with a summery fresh lime-vodka flavor — and it truly wowed the jury!
Mr. Riegelein congratulates Ms. Reisnecker on her excellent success in training
Ms. Reisnecker presents her praline “SWEET SOURPRISE”
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Strengthened Confectionery Expertise in the Mid-Sized Sector:
Gubor/Rübezahl and Riegelein Join Forces
Cadolzburg, April 24, 2019
With this merger, the former competitors Gubor/Rübezahl and Riegelein are responding to the demands of the times. The goal is to offer retailers and consumers an attractive confectionery range from a single source — both for seasonal products and year-round items.
For the entrepreneurial families Cersovsky and Riegelein, it is especially important that the “DNA of the mid-sized business sector” remains intact.
More at:
Press release
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Riegelein Tops the Taste Test
Cadolzburg, April 17, 2019
Children’s taste buds don’t lie. In a blind tasting conducted with elementary school children in Vienna, 50% of the kids rated our Riegelein sitting chocolate bunny as “good” or “very good”.
That makes Riegelein the taste test winner among 20 chocolate bunnies.
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Easter Egg Hunt in Niederoderwitz
Cadolzburg, March 11, 2019
Preparations for the upcoming Easter celebration are in full swing.
The Easter egg hunt at the KATHLEEN chocolate factory in Oderwitz has become almost as traditional as Easter itself.
For the 20th time, we warmly invite young and old to enjoy the Easter fun.
And all children up to the age of 8 with a participation ticket may even hunt for eggs in the special Easter meadow.
Tickets will be available in advance starting April 1, 2019 at our factory outlet, Bahnhofstrasse 11, 02791 Oderwitz.
We look forward to your visit!
Press Contact
Rübezahl-Riegelein Group
c/o Rübezahl Schokoladen GmbH
Dipl. Medienwirt: Dieter Schäfer
Head of Communications / PR / Public Relations
Dieselstraße 9
73265 Dettingen/Teck
Phone: 07021/8088-148
Fax: 07021/8088-120
Email: kommunikation@rk-schoko.de
Website: www.rk-schoko.de
