Suchard

The Suchard factory in Gipuzkoa, located in San Sebastián, played an essential role in the region’s industrial history. The Suchard factory was established in San Sebastián in 1909; it was one of the first industrial chocolate factories in the area. It specialized in the production of chocolate and other confectionery products and introduced innovations in chocolate production in Spain.

As was common in the food industry at the time, a considerable number of women worked at the factory. Women often played roles in packaging, quality control, and production tasks that required manual dexterity. Although there is no specific information about conditions at Suchard, in general, chocolate factories offered better conditions than other industries at the time.

Likewise, work in the food industry was often considered more “appropriate” for women according to the social standards of the time. The factory employed many families in San Sebastián and surrounding areas and contributed to the economic and industrial development of Gipuzkoa.

The Suchard factory in San Sebastián closed its doors in 1993. The closure had a significant impact on local employment, affecting many workers.