Gerardus Johannes Droste started a confectionery business in Haarlem (Holland) in 1863. The first Droste factory of the firm G.J. Droste opened its doors on August 2, 1890. Because of a lack of room, the factory was relocated to the Noorder Buiten Spaarne in 1891. Since 1891 Droste had been able to allocate the complete chocolate process in-house. The cocoa beans were stored in the loft, while sales took place in the retail store. It was in this plant were the production of cocoa and chocolate started. This waterside location was very favourable for Droste, enabling the delivery of raw materials and the transport of finished products by boat. In 1898 Droste was officially entitled to use the coat of arms of Queen-widow Emma. In 1961 a new cocoa-factory had been opened. In 1964 the factory received the "Royal" designation. Droste's new name became: Koninklijke Droste Fabrieken N.V. In 1975 N.V. the inheritor, Widow J. Van Nelle, took over the share capital of Droste. By the year 1977 Droste's ownership was transmitted to Standard Brands Incorporated. Because of the transmittal to an American company, the 'Royal' title had to be taken away from all Droste products. The name was then changed into Droste Fabrieken B.V. By the year 1985 Van Nelle separated itself from Standard Brands, which was, in turn, taken over by Nabisco. In 1986 the production of Droste was transferred to Vaassen, Gelderland. The old production location in Haarlem continued as Dutch Cocoa & Chocolate Company B.V. A new factory was opened in Vaassen, in 1988, where the products of Venz (chocolate sprinkles) were also made.
It was also in this year that Van Nelle had been taken over by Sara Lee/D.E. Two years later the Dutch sugar- and food concern CSM, bought Droste. Since January 1, 1997 Droste was sold to the Swiss-based company Hosta. Venz moved to Koninklijke De Ruijter B.V. in Baarn. Droste B.V., as of now, is still situated as an independent company in Vaassen, Gelderland.
Netherlands
