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Obituaries

Klaus J. Jacobs | Chocolate tycoon, 71

    Inquirer
    Published 

German-born Swiss billionaire Klaus J. Jacobs, 71, who built the world's leading chocolate and temporary-staffing firms, has died of cancer, his family company, Jacobs Holding, said.

Mr. Jacobs, who died Thursday, played a key role in building Barry Callebaut into the top chocolate seller, and Adecco SA into the world's leading temp employer.

He was born Dec. 3, 1936, and took over the leadership of the coffee-trading firm founded by his great-uncle, Joh. Jacobs & Co., when he was 33. Mr. Jacobs moved the company to Zurich in 1973 and later took over the Swiss firm Tobler & Suchard, creating Europe's biggest chocolate and coffee seller.

Mr. Jacobs sold the consumer interests in the combined company to U.S. giant Philip Morris in 1990 for 3.1 billion Swiss francs. He retained parts of the company, including the U.S. candy-maker Brach's, Van Houten powdered-chocolate brand, and Belgian chocolate producer Callebaut.

- AP

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