For over 140 years, the name Hengstenberg stands for fine flavours, genuine taste and highest quality. We have long been known and loved - perhaps even a little famous - for sauerkraut, red cabbage, vinegar, gherkins and many other delicious specialities, and not just in our home country of Germany. Our claim: We refine few, but good raw materials and ingredients to the best products. That' s the mission behind the Hengstenberg brand: The best from the best, since 1876. We will show you how it all began and guide you through the decades. Come and join us!
Our history - Hengstenberg from 1876 until today
From 1876 until today. Find all the facts and figures about our history here.
- Contents
- How it all began in 1876
- The founding years between 1876 and 1900
- 1900-1926: The road to brand success
- 1932: Mildessa – rich in vitamins & always fresh
- 1950: Altmeister – the creation of the company's first brand product
- Ready-to serve red cabbage 1964: Rotessa
- 1967: Hengstenberg becomes an international trader
- Crunchy Hengstenberg brands from 1972 to 1995: KNAX ans STiCKSi
- 125th company anniversary in 2001 - Demand for fine sour specialities
- 2002: Mildessa 3 Minutes - the new sauerkraut treat
- 2005: Sri Lanka needs help
- Hengstenberg presents: Organic range in 2006
- Relaunch 2014/2015: A new look
- 2016: Back to the roots
- Innovation 2017: Mildessa also available as BBQ Kraut
- Change of CEO and a summer of drought in 2018
- Mildessa 2019: Smaller households - smaller products
- 2019-2020: A view on product design
- Anniversary in 2020 – Our Altmeister turns 70
How it all began in 1876
In the Swabian town of Esslingen, Richard Alfried Hengstenberg signs a partnership agreement for a small vinegar factory. He founded more than just a company - he also established the demand for high quality. With his purity law for vinegars, for example, he helped to shape the German food law. The principle of Hengstenberg's "vinegar law" is still valid today.
The founding years between 1876 and 1900
Vinegar and gherkins are the first products we begin to produce. Later we add mustard to the range. Due to the high demand for fine sour Hengstenberg specialities, the company moves to a new and larger site in 1895. Our headquarters is still located here today. One year later, the Hengstenberg family coat of arms is registered as a protected trademark.
1900-1926: The road to brand success
Back in 1926, Carl Hengstenberg realised that quality needed an unmistakable name. A modern lettering replaces the coat of arms as the company's trademark: The company name becomes a uniform brand. We are also adding "tomato seasoning" to our range - in jars and tubes.
1932: Mildessa - rich in vitamins & always fresh
In the 1930s, Dr. Richard Hengstenberg further expanded the product range. In 1932 he launched the world's first pasteurised sauerkraut. 1953 was the year in which "Mildessa" was born. With the product promise "vitamin-rich - always fresh", Hengstenberg's fermented cabbage was a bestseller in the 1950s - and remains so today. By the way: Did you know that the name Mildessa is a combination of the German words for "mild sauerkraut" (“Mildes Sauerkraut”)?
1950: Altmeister – the creation of the company's first brand product
"Altmeister" by Hengstenberg is the next big step in the company's modern brand policy. The retail industry is just beginning to rely on self-service, and Hengstenberg is filling vinegar in consumer-friendly bottles in 1950. The "Altmeister" brand is born. Thanks to this strategy, sales increase rapidly.
Ready-to-serve red cabbage 1964: Rotessa
In 1964, "Rotessa" red cabbage enters the cooking pots. Hengstenberg thus consistently continues its brand concept started with "Altmeister" and "Mildessa": taste and best quality in consumer-friendly packaging forms. Since then, Hengstenberg offers the right product for the modern home cuisine - whether for Christmas roast or as a summer vegetable.
1967: Hengstenberg becomes an international trader
In 1967, the Swabian company once again shows a flair for new trends: Hengstenberg designs its tomato products under the brand "ORO di Parma" in typical Italian style, thus continuing the tomato tradition of the company. The Esslingen-based family business starts an international approach and founds subsidiaries in Austria and France. The export business, which began in 1900, now covers more than 30 countries worldwide.
Crunchy Hengstenberg brands from 1972 to 1995: KNAX and STiCKSi
STiCKSi gherkin quarters - a Hengstenberg invention - have been part of the assortment since 1972. KNAX was added to the product family in 1995, continuing the company's gherkin tradition. Pickled in a delicately seasoned infusion, the gherkins are also enjoyed by the royal court of Württemberg. The majority of our gherkins have always come from German contract farming - and will continue to do so.
125th company anniversary in 2001 - Demand for fine sour specialities
The small Swabian vinegar factory has meanwhile become a well-known and successful specialist for pickled brand products. With Mildessa, Altmeister, KNAX or the STiCKSi gherkin quarters, a piece of brand history has been written. Even after more than a century, we know how to combine traditional quality with current trends. Our success confirms that we are right: Hengstenberg brand products are "bestsellers".
2002: Mildessa 3 Minutes - the new sauerkraut treat
We respond to consumers' needs for convenience ready2eat dishes and develop a pre-cooked and seasoned sauerkraut under the name "Mildessa 3 Minutes" in 2002. Since 2004, we have been setting trends as the market leader with three innovative recipes in pouches, offering plenty of variety. The next step followed with the red cabbage products. The 3-minute red cabbage recipes guarantee pure taste for quick and easy cooking.
2005: Sri Lanka needs help
After the devastating tsunami on 26 December 2004, the town of Mullaitivu in the north of Sri Lanka was one of the most destroyed regions. On the initiative of some Sri Lankan staff members, we launched a donation project in 2005, which we continue to this day. The project supports the "Bharathy Children Home" - an orphanage for 130 girls aged 6-21. Many of the children at that time are now adults and work at the centre themselves. They are gradually finding their way back to a normal life and are leaving their past behind. Hengstenberg supports the orphanage every month with a financial donation. Plans for the future include the construction of a medical facility and further equipment with teaching materials. Hengstenberg has shown social commitment after the disaster and helped people who need support.
Hengstenberg presents: Organic range in 2006
We were the first major brand manufacturer in the canned pickled food sector to launch a complete range of organic products on the German market in 2006. Sauerkraut, red cabbage, vinegar, gherkins and fine sour vegetables from controlled organic cultivation completed our classic range.
Relaunch 2014/2015: A new look
Hengstenberg stands for excellent taste with high quality and a long tradition. As a company, we want to communicate the traditional skills, the selected ingredients and the careful processing with a new, emotional appearance. We also emphasise the close cooperation with farmers and thus the predominant sourcing of raw materials from Germany.
2016: Back to the roots
The Hengstenberg head office moves back to its former headquarters. Parts of the traditional building remain and are integrated into a modern environment. In architectural terms, this reflects what also applies to our company in other respects: A modern and future-oriented approach with a clear commitment to our own core and roots. The company is setting new accents digitally this year. Our Hengstenberg and ORO di Parma brands are getting a new online appearance and intensifying the communication with consumers through digital channels.
Innovation 2017: Mildessa also available as BBQ Kraut
In April 2017, Hengstenberg is launching a real innovation: BBQ Kraut by Mildessa. It is a unique mix of sauerkraut and spicy, smoky barbecue sauce. The recipe allows countless possibilities for BBQ dishes. The BBQ Kraut by Mildessa is incredibly juicy and aromatic, so no additional sauce is needed. For this reason, it can also be used to create other delicious recipes, such as pork belly stuffed with BBQ Kraut.
Change of CEO and a summer of drought in 2018
In April 2018, Andreas Reimer takes over as Chairman of the Executive Board. At the same time, Steffen Hengstenberg moves to the company's Board of Directors. "I am looking forward to this exciting task. The quality of the products and the strong brands of the company are an excellent prerequisite for continuing to lead the Hengstenberg company successfully into the future," said Mr Reimer on taking office. At the beginning of 2017, Henri Pillot, a manager from the company's own ranks, had already been promoted to the commercial management. Philipp Hengstenberg continues to be responsible for the entire supply chain.
Another event in 2018 was a particularly challenging harvest season for Hengstenberg - the summer of drought. The lack of rain, dry soil and heat caused problems for the farmers. Autumn vegetables in particular suffer from the weather conditions. Family-run farms that have supplied Hengstenberg for decades cannot remember a similar situation. In the end, we suffered harvest losses of more than 30 % for white cabbage and more than 40 % for red cabbage. Anything that has not grown cannot be processed: The season ends with a historically low production programme of Mildessa cabbage products.
Mildessa 2019: Smaller households - smaller pouches
Keeping up with trends in 2019: Due to the growing number of smaller households, the popular sauerkraut from Mildessa is now available in a practical 150 g pouches. With the small "My Mildessa" pouch, you can always enjoy the perfect portion of sauerkraut or red cabbage, quick and easy. Simply heat the content of the pouch in a pot on the stovetop or in a microwave-safe container in the microwave and enjoy the perfect serving of Mildessa. The small pouches are ideal for one person, as a delicious side dish or as a snack in between meals.
2019-2020: A view on product design
Keeping up with the latest trends also means living modernity. Since autumn 2019, our Mildessa sauerkraut is available in a new packaging design - in autumn 2020, the entire gherkin range followed. The new layout stands for tradition, craftsmanship and high-quality standards. Brand recognition across the entire Hengstenberg product family is a priority, including the traditional KNAX and STiCKSi gherkins.
Anniversary in 2020 – Our Altmeister turns 70
In 1950, Hengstenberg began filling vinegar in consumer-friendly bottles. The "Altmeister" brand was born. Today - a whole 70 years later - we are still producing high-quality, finely seasoned vinegar. The fact that we still follow the purity law of 1876 clearly shows that we remain true to ourselves and our tradition as a family business. And this feels great.
