History
Our history
It all began 5 decades ago with 12 employees, an idea and clear demands on quality and know-how. With courage and a keen sense of markets and opportunities, Willibert Krüger laid the foundations for the company which now operates worldwide. Currently, around 5,700 employees belong to the KRÜGER GROUP – at 23 locations in 10 countries.
The history of the KRÜGER GROUP
1970s
1971
The success story begins with many small steps: Willibert Krüger starts the production of his own instant products in the adjoining rooms of his parents’ wholesale business before taking the next step into self-employment, and then far beyond the borders of the German markets.
1976
The concept of granulated tea develops into a complete success: Annual production is 10 million packs.
1978
Instantina – first subsidiary in Austria.
1980s
1990s
1991
Acquisition of the specialist milk-processing company for spray products. Milchwerke Mittelelbe in Stendal processes up to 1.2 million liters of milk a day: into milk powders, infant nutrition, ready-to-drink products, sweeteners, and coffee whitener.
1998
Acquisition of Ludwig Schokolade GmbH & Co. KG with the entire brand business for chocolate and chewable sweets, including Schogetten, FRITT, Edle Tropfen in Nuss, Feinschmecker, Wappenklasse.
2000s
2004
Acquisition of Winsenia in Winsen/Luhe
The Winsenia brand offers a wide range of nut-nougat spreads.
2010s
2010
Acquisition of Fuchs & Hoffmann Kakaoprodukte GmbH in Bexbach – specializing in the production of cocoa mass, cocoa nibs, chocolate and couverture for industrial processing.
2012
Founding of the K-fee-System GmbH subsidiary for its own capsule system
2016
Acquisition of the French manufacturer NUTRIMAINE located in Levallois-Perret with the brands Benco and Banania.
2017
Founding of HNC Healthy Nutrition GmbH in Bergisch Gladbach.
The company focuses on protein products, sports nutrition and healthy snacks.
2017
Foundation of GCS German Capsule Solution GmbH and entry into the market for compatible capsules of all common systems.
2019
Acquisition of the start-up company Hafervoll GmbH in Cologne – including the production of oven-baked flapjacks.
2020s
2020s
2020
Entry into the sparkling water maker segment with the majority shareholding in BL Balanced Lifestyle Food and Beverages GmbH, located in Vienna. Foundation of SODAPOP GmbH in Bergisch Gladbach.
2023
Acquisition of the instant tea and sweetener business from Laurens Spethmann Holding.
2024
Acquisition of the trademark rights for the full range of products of the three brands Kaba, Suchard Express, and Benco from Carambar & Co.
2024
Acquisition of Hermes Süssstoff AG from the Klosterfrau Group.