Kelly's celebrates 70 years of Snack Sensation: A look into the future!

Kelly's celebrates 70 years of Snack Sensation: A look into the future!

Wien, Österreich - In 2025, the traditional company Kelly’s celebrates its 70th anniversary. The managing directors Markus Marek and Thomas Buck gave an insight into the company's history as well as in the Leadersnet Economic Talk.

Kelly’s was founded by Howard Morse Kelly in 1955 and started with popcorn as the first product. This is still one of the company's main products. A crucial step in corporate development was the acquisition of the chips production plant in Hollabrunn in 1975 and the purchase of the Soletti brand in 1985. The headquarters in Vienna was moved into 1996. Today Kelly’s has established itself as a specialist for salty snacks in Austria.

sustainability in focus

Sustainability is a central part of Kelly’s's company DNA. The use of regional ingredients, especially potatoes, plays a major role in production. In the past ten years, the company has reduced the gas consumption per tonne product by 28 percent. Kelly’s also produces its own electricity through photovoltaics, which covers 10-15 percent of the electricity requirement. Marek emphasizes the need for stable framework conditions for corporate planning and calls for the support of the government for Austria.

About 150 people work in the production facilities in Vienna and Feldbach, while another 30 employees are responsible for logistics and distribution. Markus Marek, since 2016 in the company, and Thomas Buck, who also started in 2016, rely on a positive market view and optimistic thinking as the cornerstone of their economic action.

upcoming innovations on the ISM 2025

The confectionery and snack industry will come together in February 2025 at ISM, one of the most important trade fairs. The fair takes place from February 2 to 5 and will present trends and innovations, with sustainability a central topic. Consumers are increasingly emphasizing environmentally friendly, plant -based and locally related ingredients. Innovative approaches such as the use of the entire cocoa fruit or the development of healthy snacks with reduced sugar, fat and salt are the focus of the new products.

Overall, it shows that Kelly’s not only wants to establish itself on the top of the market, but also actively contributes to promoting sustainable practices and products in the snack industry. The dialogue about these topics is particularly important in times of economic uncertainties to set the course for the future and to inspire consumers with innovative products.

Further information on Kelly’s and its current projects are available on the company website. Kelly’s not only deals with his products, but also with the responsible handling of resources.