Hero of Haigh’s Chocolates dies aged 93
John Haigh, who helped establish the iconic South Australian chocolate brand Haigh’s Chocolates, has passed away aged 93.
He was the grandson of Alfred Haigh, who founded the company and opened its first store in the Beehive Building at 34 King William Street in Adelaide city in 1915.
The company confirmed in a statement that John Haigh passed away at home on February 10.
“More than any other person, John Haigh is responsible for the taste of Haigh’s Chocolates that we know and love today,” said John’s sons, Alister and Simon Haigh, who are currently the managing directors of the company.
“He transformed Haigh’s into a manufacturer of premium quality chocolate that is internationally acclaimed and recognised among the world’s best.”
John Haigh joined the business in 1946 after training with Lindt chocolate manufacturers in Switzerland and Sprungli.
He then travelled to the United States to look into production, shop styles and marketing, later becoming the managing director from 1959 to 1990.
Haigh’s chocolates largely credit him for having “revolutionised” the brand.
“Besides the quality and the taste of the product, he also refined the exclusivity of the Haigh’s in-store experience and the way in which Haigh’s is marketed to this day,” Alister and Simon Haigh said.
“He built the foundation for an incredibly successful family business that is expanding and trading strongly around Australia.”
Haigh’s Chocolates is the oldest family-owned chocolate company in Australia, and they do not deliver or sell overseas.
Haigh’s manufactured chocolate-covered fruit centres, then later introduced toffee and various other chocolates.
“John was a revolutionary in the chocolate industry. He will be greatly missed and always remembered. Vale John,” his sons said.
Details of a service for Mr Haigh will be announced later this week.