Broc factory
In 1898, Alexandre-Louis Cailler (grandson of François-Louis Cailler) opened the current factory of Broc.[2] The following year, the dedicated hydroelectrical plant on the Jogne was commissioned, allowing the electrification of the entire village of Broc. The waters of the Jogne had been diverted by means of a one-kilometre-long tunnel, allowing an electrical production of 2,000 HP through a 44-metre fall.[11] 1912 saw the inauguration of the Bulle-Broc-Fabrique railway, which replaced horse-drawn goods convoys to Bulle, the major town in the area.[12] Chocolate, notably including milk chocolate using milk from local dairies, began to be produced on a massive scale.[1] A foreman who previously worked for Daniel Peter helped Cailler develop this new type of chocolate, which would become particularly successful.[13] The number of workers grew from 76 in 1898 to 630 in 1901. The number of workers peaked in 1930, at 1,796.[14]
Meanwhile, in 1904, Daniel Peter and Charles-Amédée Kohler (son of Charles-Amédée Kohler who founded Chocolat Kohler in 1830) became partners and founded the Société générale suisse des chocolats Peter et Kohler réunis. in 1911, the company created by Peter and Kohler merged with Cailler.[15] In 1929, Peter, Cailler, Kohler, Chocolats Suisses S.A. finally merged with the Nestlé group.[15] Until 1951, Nestlé used all three names Peter Cailler Kohler for its chocolates, which were then commonly referred to as the PCK brand.[16] Nestlé ultimately retained the Cailler brand and signature for the chocolate made in Broc.[2]
In 2006, Cailler packaging was revamped under the leadership of Nelly Wenger (head of Expo.02). New transparent plastic boxes were designed by architect Jean Nouvel (also involved in Expo.02). The change was met with criticism and, following price increases, Cailler products were boycotted by some retailers.[17] In 2007, the plastic packaging was discontinued.[18][19]
