Sonnentor: New sales plus in 2017/18

Sonnentor Kräuterhandelsgesellschaft mbH increased its sales to 44.5 million in the fiscal year 2017/18. In the previous year, the turnover was 40.2 million euros. Together with its subsidiary Sonnen Tourismus, the total is 46.1 million euros.

Investment of 24 million euros

Calculated over the past ten years, Sonnentor's turnover has almost tripled. The company was able to spend 24 million euros on measures for more transparency, quality assurance and the expansion of the location in the Waldviertel. In 2017/18 alone, 1.2 million euros were invested. Among other things for a new colour separator that can sort out the grains even more precisely in the processing of raw materials. In addition, the shop in Sprögnitz was completely redesigned.

"The secret of our success is that our primary goal is to maximize the common good - not profit. For this reason we rely on direct and fair trade with organic farmers all over the world, as well as resource-saving management", says Sonnentor founder Johannes Gutmann.

Franchise as the concept of the future

Sonnentor's organic herbs and spices are available in over 50 countries, the export ratio is 68%. They are sold in organic stores, in the company’s own online shop and in the 30 Sonnentor stores in Austria, Germany and the Czech Republic. 19 of the stores are franchised. “A concept with a future”, according to a press release by Sonnentor. “The term ‘concept of the future’ means that Sonnentor wants to further expand this distribution channel. We see great potential especially in Germany. There are currently only four German locations: Aachen, Dresden, Munich and Regensburg,” explains Marie-Theres Chaloupek, brand ambassador at Sonnentor, upon request of bio-markt.info. How strongly the franchise system of Sonnentor grows depends on how quickly the company finds further partners who share its values. On the other hand, the location also plays an important role. This must have a good frequency - but must also be affordable. “The goal is healthy growth with two to three new stores per year. This year already two new stores were opened in Austria situated in Graz and Kapfenberg.”

The Sonnentor family includes 500 people worldwide. The location in the Czech Republic celebrated its 25^th anniversary last year. The sister company in Albania has existed for ten years now. The Romanian location has been operating since 2006.