The CD Group and its history
The company was founded in 1981 by Jean-Willy Bihler. The company started out as a distributor of food products including chocolates, biscuits and caramels. Since the outset, it has been collaborating with GOLDKENN, the creator of the famous chocolate Goldbar. The company was based in a former bakery in Le Locle. It rapidly outgrew these premises, with the company first moving in 1985 then constructing its first building in 1989. In 1993, the first extension was built, with a second following in 1998 to give a total of 4500 m2.
The Douceurs des Cimes chocolate brand was launched in 1992, and renamed SwissDream in 2011. In Switzerland, it is a key brand for the tourist industry.
In 1997, a co-packing/packaging unit was created to develop and package all the group's products. Its tasks include creating the traditional Christmas sweet bags, for which it has been the Swiss market leader for almost 20 years.
On 1st January 2000, the company became a partner of the company Pfister Chocolatier SA.
2002 saw the introduction of a gift basket packaging project, which has made the company the Swiss leader in this type of product offering.
The Bibichoc brand was developed in 2005, producing seasonal Christmas and Easter products for children.
In 2006, Jean-Willy passed on his role as president and general manager to his son, Nicolas Bihler. The company built an additional building in Le Crêt-du-Locle in 2007, providing an extra 4600m2 to enable more than 5000 pallets to be stored.
The company finalised its takeover of GOLDKENN in 2010. The Swiss chocolatier is now the partner to premium brands such as Rémy Martin and Jack Daniel’s. Since 2012, GOLDKENN has opened its first two branch offices abroad, with a presence in the United States and Asia to help develop these markets from a local base.
On 12th May 2015, the Bihler family signed a deal to buy out the prestigious coffee roaster Cafés La Semeuse, based in La Chaux-de-Fonds. With this acquisition, a Neuchâtel-based, family-run company, hopes to continue the success of its 115-year history, and reinforce its position on the market.
The group now employs more than 85 permanent staff members, which rises to 120 during the peak Christmas and Easter production periods.