Dr. Oetker

Portfolio

Also included in the portfolio are a bank, a publishing company, an insurance outfit, breweries and a number of high-class hotels all over Europe.

Formation

The company was founded by Doctor August Oetker in 1891; the first product developed was "Backin", a pre-measured amount of baking powder that, when mixed with 500 grams (18 oz) of flour and other ingredients, produced a cake.

First World War

Dr. Oetker's son, Rudolf, died in the First World War. However Rudolf, and his wife, Ida, had two children, Rudolf-August and Ursula. Ida Oetker remarried Dr. Richard Kaselowsky, and they subsequently had four more children. Dr. Kaselowsky raised Rudolf-August and Ursula as his own.

International expansion

Rudolf August Oetker, the grandson of Dr. August Oetker, led the company between 1944 and 1981, and during this period it achieved its highest growth. The company expanded its presence internationally, acquiring many companies around the world. When Rudolf Oetker stepped down from his leadership position, the 4th generation of the Oetker family took over from him. The family ownership established the management principle that "The interests of the company have priority over those of the family" (Annual Report Dr. August Oetker KG, 2005).

Dr. August Oetker, the great-grandson of the founder, led the company from 1981 until 2010. Under his tenure it expanded further in all areas, including shipping, food and brewing.

Richard Oetker, Dr. August Oetker's brother, took over as CEO in 2010.

Australia

Dr. Oetker purchased Australian food manufacturer Simplot Australia's frozen pizza business, including the iconic brand Papa Giuseppi's in January 2011.

Brazil

In Brazil, the company has a site in São Paulo. The company supplies powdered desserts, frozen pizza and teas. The company has been established in Brazil since 1954.

Canada

The company has its head office and factory in Mississauga, Ontario. In 1962, Dr. Oetker entered the Canadian market as Condima Imports Ltd. In 1992, it purchased the "Shirriff" line of products, which are made at the Mississauga plant. In 2003, the Condima name was dropped and the company started using the Dr. Oetker brand. In July 2011 Dr. Oetker announced the building of its first North American factory in London, Ontario to make frozen pizzas made from Ontario produce and ingredients that will be shipped in Canada and the USA. In August 2014, McCain Foods announced the sale of its North American frozen pizza business to Dr. Oetker. Through product placement on its packaging and through employee giving, the company supports the children's charity SOS Children's Villages Canada.

Denmark

In Denmark a wide selection is available. Baking powder, frozen pizza, pudding and cake decoration is sold in most supermarkets. The company has an office in Glostrup.

Estonia

In Estonia, frozen pizzas are available at supermarkets.

Finland

In Finland, frozen pizzas, pudding and cake decoration are available at supermarkets.

India

The Company operates also in India and has offices in Mumbai, New Delhi, and Bangalore. In India, the company sells sauces, chutneys, dessert toppings, cake mixes, etc. IPR & recipes acquired for certain Indian sauces from owner operator & Chef Manav Paul of MiXStudio & Mix Bar & Grill - Goa & Rahul Akerkar Indigo.

Italy

In Italy, Dr. Oetker operates under the brand "Cameo". The Italian division was founded in Milano in 1933 as "Oetker" and then later moved to Desenzano del Garda, which continues until today. In 1953 the name is switched to "Cammeo", a more Italian and easy-listening word, changed again for the last time in 1984 in "Cameo" (dropping the double m).

Lithuania

Lithuania has many of Dr. Oetker products in the market. There are frozen pizzas, cooking powder, and gelatine, both flavoured and non-flavoured.

Malaysia

In Malaysia, Dr. Oetker was currently operated after the acquisition of Nona Foods. The previous ownership of Nona Foods is Toro Food Industries. Previously, Dr. Oetker was represented in Malaysia by Kart Food Industries, between 1998 and 2002, when the company was sold to Amtek Berhad.

Following the acquisition of Nona Foods, the local subsidiary of Dr. Oetker produces jelly mixes and seasoning flour, in addition to pizzas and baking preparations.

Namibia

In Namibia, frozen pizzas are available at supermarkets.

New Zealand

As with the purchase of Simplot Australia's frozen pizza business (see above), Dr. Oetker has been able to move into the New Zealand market.

Norway

In Norway, Dr. Oetker is the second largest seller of frozen pizza with a market share of 16.5%.

Spain

In Spain, frozen pizzas are available at supermarkets.

South Africa

In South Africa, frozen pizza products are available at supermarkets.

Sweden

In Sweden, Dr Oetker's baking soda, gelatin and other baking items as well as frozen pizza products are available at supermarkets.

United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, the company has sites in Leeds, Leyland, Lancashire and Sherburn-in-Elmet. The company was a supplier of yogurt in the UK, under the Onken name which Dr. Oetker now no longer owns. The company also supplies frozen pizza, mostly under the Chicago Town brand, and in 2007 acquired the SuperCook range of cake ingredients and partially prepared cake mixes.

Radeberger Group

Radeberger Group contains the breweries of the Oetker group. Radeberger is Germany's biggest group of breweries and has a market share of about 14-15%. 15 German breweries are part of the Radeberger Group. The major national brands are Radeberger Pils (brewed in Radeberg near Dresden), Jever Pils (brewed in Jever); Clausthaler, an alcohol-free beer, and Schöfferhofer Weizen.

Regional brands are Binding (brewed in Frankfurt), Schultheiss (Berlin), Sternburg (Leipzig), Brinkhoff's (Dortmund), Freiberger (Saxony), Tucher (Fürth) and various Kölsch brands.

Hotels

The company runs nine hotels under the brand Oetker Collection. The portfolio is currently: