Adalbert Raps: A Pioneer In The Spice Industry During Turbulent Times
After the First World War, on 13 August 1924, pharmacist Adalbert Raps founded RAPS & Co. in Hamburg, the biggest spice trading hub in Europe. He gave up working as a pharmacist to concentrate on processing spices and creating seasoning blends for meat and sausage products.
"Perhaps it is in times of distress in particular that we develop ideas and strength that would lie idle during different times." – Adalbert Raps
In the manifold flavours of spices and the industrial processing thereof that gives simple meals that certain incomparable something, Adalbert Raps discovered a recipe for success that continues to characterises his life’s work: a passion for spices.
RAPS is celebrating its 100th anniversary
The small spice trading company has evolved into a leading international provider of flavour concepts and ingredients. Today, RAPS GmbH & Co. KG has 900 employees, 16 European subsidiaries and seven own production facilities in Germany and Austria. For 100 years, the family business has combined passion, tradition and innovation and is a renowned partner of the food industry, the butcher’s trade and the food service industry.
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A Journey Through The Company's History
Come with us on a journey through the history of our company and find out how we evolved into the business we are today. Behind each box, you will find insights into a section from 100 years of RAPS history: from Adalbert Raps and the beginnings in the Hanseatic city of Hamburg and all the way to the future orientation of the RAPS Group. In the last box, you can also follow the evolution of the RAPS logo, our trademark.
1924-1945: Our Roots
RAPS has its roots in Hamburg. In the midst of societal and political changes, Adalbert Raps decided to found a company. In addition to trading with raw spices, Raps soon developed unique seasoning blends and individual recipes. Their quality and flavour helped RAPS to assert itself on the market and the company soon started to export its products abroad. Find out more about the beginnings of RAPS in Hamburg.
1946-1956: How RAPS Came To Kulmbach
After the business premises in Hamburg were destroyed, the company underwent major changes. Founder Adalbert Raps found a new site for the company near his former home of Kulmbach in Upper Franconia. RAPS overcame the challenges of the postwar period and set a course for success with the introduction of Glutalin in 1951. Find out how RAPS moved from Hamburg to Kulmbach and continued on its journey of innovation and success.
1957-1974: Growth: Innovative Ideas And International Expansion
With products that satisfied the taste of the time, RAPS continued its course for success and increased its expansion into the European market. Innovative processing methods in production guaranteed top quality and the company also demonstrated creativity in its marketing campaigns. RAPS thereby shaped a part of German food culture. Find out more about innovative ideas at RAPS and how the company established itself internationally.
1975-2002: Further Development: The Second Generation Takes Over
After the death of the company’s founder, his nephew Horst Kühne and long-time companion Waldemar Pfeiffer took over the management of RAPS. Together, they continued on the course for innovation and internationalisation and attained technological milestones at the new production facility on Adalbert-Raps-Strasse. Find out how the second generation continued the success story with entrepreneurial foresight and set the course for the future of the company.
2003-today: Future Orientation: A Moden Family Business
RAPS evolved further in the new millennium. RAPS invested in a future-proof strategy continuously, expanded the product portfolio, positioned itself more broadly in the industry and campaigned actively for the economical treatment of environmental resources. Find out how RAPS is facing the challenges of the 21st century.
Evolution Of The RAPS Logo
Just like the company, the brand has also changed over the course of time. From the first logos designed by the founder to the current design, the logo reflects the history and evolution of RAPS. Find out more about the RAPS logo.
