The confectionery manufacturer experienced golden times in the 50s and 60s. Lonka employed 165 people. But the oil crisis in the 1970s turned around. Hard times began. The factory was at a loss for years and eventually the workforce was reduced to about fifteen employees.
It is the West Brabant family De Bock who saved the brand from destruction. They took over the business in 1997 and brought Lonka back to Brabant. Substantial investments were made in a modern production hall that was built in Roosendaal in 2002, but the old, shiny copper boilers in the building reveal that the Brabant confectionery manufacturer has a rich history.
About 80 employees in the automated factory now make 1 billion candies and chocolates, a total of about 10 million kilos.
One sweet every hour
Annie Vergouwen is entering her final months as an employee of Lonka. On December 8 she will turn seventy years old and will say goodbye to ‘her’ factory with a heavy heart. No more grabbing a tasty treat from the band for themselves every hour. But in her heart, Annie will always remain the ‘Lonka girl’ from Nispen.
The artwork on the side wall of the house on Pioenroosstraat in Breda is part of the street art museum ‘Blind Walls Gallery’. It is intended to be shown there in the coming years.
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