In 1972 Imhoff took over the failing Stollwerck chocolate company, and managed to convert it into a successful business.
He built up a European Chocolate group through acquiring other brands such as Sprengel and Sarotti.
[1][2] In 2001 the city of Cologne gave Imhoff an honorary citizenship.
Imhoff was married to Clare Gerburg Schmitt, with whom he had four children.
He died on 21 December 2007 (aged 85) of an infection caused by lung inflammation.