Anne and Stefan Lemcke have bought back the majority of their spice company, Ankerkraut, from Nestlé, ending a four-year period of corporate ownership. The founders reached an agreement with the Swiss food giant to reclaim their shares, though the specific financial terms of the transaction remain confidential.
Anne and Stefan Lemcke have reclaimed ownership of Ankerkraut
The couple described the company as their „lifework,“ stating that the return to independent ownership allows them to reconnect with their original entrepreneurial roots. They intend to use this autonomy to drive the brand’s development with greater flexibility and speed.
Alexander von Maillot, CEO of Nestlé Germany, stated that the company supports the founders‘ desire for greater independence. He characterized the partnership over the last four years as constructive and based on a foundation of mutual trust and shared goals.
Why the founders prioritize agility over corporate backing
A company spokesperson told BILD that the years under Nestlé provided essential impulses, particularly regarding organizational structures and professionalization. These corporate refinements helped the business scale, but the current market environment now demands a more agile approach.
Workforce numbers have shifted since the Nestlé era began. The company employed more than 230 people before the corporate deal, but that number has since decreased to approximately 160 employees.
The 2022 takeover triggered a widespread consumer backlash
Consumer anger peaked in 2022 when Nestlé first acquired a majority stake in the business. Social media users and influencers accused the Lemckes of betraying their core values, leading to a significant „shitstorm“ across platforms like Instagram and X.
Critics pointed to Nestlé’s global reputation as a primary reason for the outrage. Accusations against the conglomerate include exploiting the world’s poorest for profit, deforestation for supply chains, the depletion of water resources, and continuing business operations in Russia during the war against Ukraine.
This buyback solves a conflict between the two brands‘ public images. While the company spokesperson denied that the shitstorm was the direct cause of the buyback, she acknowledged that the clash in external perception between Ankerkraut and Nestlé was a situation that needed resolution.
From a TV start-up to a professionalized spice business
Ankerkraut began in 2013, but it gained national prominence in 2016 through the television show „Die Höhle der Löwen.“ The business built its brand on glass bottles with cork stoppers, disrupting the traditional spice market through an omni-channel strategy that blended online sales with retail presence in stores like Rewe and Edeka.
The current product portfolio includes more than 500 items, ranging from individual spices and blends to teas and accessories. Now operating as a family-run business again, the company aims to return to a faster, more liberated way of working.
What happens to the current product range?
The company continues to offer a portfolio of more than 500 products, including various spice blends, teas, and accessories.
Why was the 2022 deal so controversial?
The takeover sparked a backlash as many customers felt the founders betrayed their values by partnering with Nestlé, a corporation frequently criticized for its environmental record, its business in Russia, and its treatment of water resources and impoverished populations.
