Raps

1924 Company founded

Founding of RAPS & Co., as a spice merchant in Hamburg by the registered pharmacist Adalbert Raps.

1925 - 1940 Development into a production company

Alongside trading, new production methods were developed. The focus here was on salt-free flavourings.

1943 Destruction of the company building

After the war the RAPS company building was reconstructed in Hamburg. A part of production was moved away.

1953 Foundation stone laid in Kulmbach

At the Goldenen Feld in 1953 Adalbert Raps laid the foundation stone for the first Kulmbach factory.

1953 GLUTALIN conquers the market

With the development of GLUTALIN, the first flavour enhancer for sausage production, the success story of the Kulmbach based flavouring company took off.

1956 Move to Upper Franconia

RAPS moves its headquarters from Hamburg to Kulmbach.

1965 Commissioning of the first extraction plant

Start-up of the ultra-modern production plant for producing essential oils and extracts.

1972 Biofrost cold milling

RAPS becomes the first company to use Biofrost cold milling. This process ensures that essential oils are not lost during the crushing process.

1975 Death of the founder of the company

On 6 November 1975 Adalbert Raps dies at the age of 87.

1975 New managing director

Horst Kühne takes over management of RAPS and steps into Adalbert Raps shoes. Horst Kühne had worked for the company since his apprenticeship and had in-depth knowledge of the business and the necessary entrepreneurial breadth of vision.

1976 Creation of the Adalbert Raps Foundation

The foundation was started up on 17 August 1976. It supports charitable purposes, social organisations as well as research projects in the food processing industry.

1977 Expansion abroad

In order to push ahead with international business growth, the first overseas subsidiaries are founded.

1980 New headquarters in Kulmbach

Move into the new administration and production buildings in Adalbert-Raps-Strasse.

1982 First coating plant

The coating plant, a new technology for coating ingredients, comes online.

1989 Expansion of the product range by adding mail order

The special despatch service RAPS DIREKT offers everything needed for catering and parties. Today this subsidiary is called BATANIA.

1989 Expanded production

RAPS builds a new coating plant and expands the liquid plant.

1990 Taste from extracts

RAPS develops extracts which are identical in taste to the natural spices. Extracts also have a number of benefits for processing.

1991 Own herb plantations

RAPS further extends its activities in the area of herbs and takes over the marjoram works in Aschersleben MAWEA.

1992 Product innovation - STABILOTON

Market launch of the first anti-oxidant to prolong the shelf life of products containing fats.

1993 DIN EN ISO 9001

RAPS is the first German spice producer to be quality certified under DIN EN ISO 9001.

1996 Efficient storage

The new high-bay warehouse comes online. It is regarded as the most modern anywhere in Europe.

1999 CPF turns liquid into powder

Thanks to the development and marketing of the new CPF technology (Concentrated Powder Form), liquids and fats can now be turned into easily measured powders.

2002 Stake in FLEDI

RAPS buys up 51 % of the shares in FLEDI GmbH in Versmold, a specialist in the production of fresh pastes and liquid spice mixtures. [FLEDI GmbH]

2004 Cross of the Order of Merit of the FederalRepublic of Germany awarded to Horst Kühne

For his outstanding business performance, Horst Kühne is awarded the Cross of the Order of Merit of the FederalRepublic of Germany.

2005 Horst Kühne hands over management to Frank Kühne

After 30 successful years in the job, Horst Kühne leaves the company for health reasons. He has built the company up into an international high-technology solution provider. Frank Kühne takes over as the third generation at the helm of the family company.

2009 Sale of MAWEA

The sale of MAWEA GmbH is a step towards the logical focus on core business activities.

2010 New sales structure

RAPS totally reorganises the sales structure. From now on sales are split into the market segments of DeliCo, Catering and Industry.

2010 Frank Kühne takes over as group managing director

As the Managing Director Frank Kühne takes over sole responsibility for the RAPS group of companies.

2010 FLEDI becomes part of the RAPS-Group

FLEDI GmbH becomes a 100% owned subsidiary. The combined sales force allows customers to receive service from a single source. [FLEDI GmbH]

2011 New premises for the Technical Centre

The expansion of the past years requires better technical support.