The co-owner of German confectionery giant Hans Riegel has died at the age of 90.

Riegel, whose father Hans Snr set up the company in 1920, died of heart failure, the company said yesterday (15 October).

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He had been recovering after the removal of a benign brain tumour before what Haribo called a “sudden and unexpected heart failure”.

A statement from the company said: “We owe Dr Hans Riegel a debt of thanks, as he had the foresight to change the company’s direction in time to ensure its successful future and steady growth. Our deepest sympathies go to Dr Hans Riegel’s relatives, friends and close companions.”

Riegel had been Haribo’s co-CEO alongside his brother, Paul Riegel, who died in 2009. Hans had handled business management; Paul the technical side of the business.

In July, after Hans Riegel’s operation, marketing director Felix Theato was handed his responsibilities for marketing, sales and export and named managing director.

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Haribo has two other MDs – Arndt Rüsges, who oversees the production and technology departments at the business, and Michael Phiesel, who handles finance and controlling.

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