Dr. Oetker facts for kids
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Headquarters in Bielefeld
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| Limited partnership | |
| Industry | Food processing |
| Founded | 1891 |
| Founder | August Oetker |
| Headquarters | Bielefeld, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany |
| Products | Baking powder, pudding, cake mixes, yogurts, frozen pizza |
| Revenue | €4.2 billion (2023) |
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Number of employees
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16,510 (2023) |
Dr. Oetker is a German company that makes many different food products. You might know them for their baking powder, cake mixes, frozen pizza, and pudding. They also make things like cake decorations and even beer.
The company's main office is in Bielefeld, Germany. It is part of a larger group called the Oetker Group.
Contents
What Dr. Oetker Makes
The Oetker Group owns more than 300 different companies. These companies are involved in five main areas. They make food products, including Dr. Oetker items and baked goods from Coppenrath & Wiese. They also own breweries, which make different kinds of beer. Other parts of the group deal with sparkling wine and spirits. They even have a bank and own several fancy hotels in Europe.
Company History
How Dr. Oetker Started
The company was started by August Oetker in 1891. His very first product was called Backin. This was a special amount of baking powder that helped people make perfect cakes. You just mixed it with flour and other ingredients.
Early Years and Family Changes
August Oetker's son, Rudolf, had two children named Rudolf-August and Ursula. Sadly, Rudolf was killed during the First World War. His wife, Ida, later married Richard Kaselowsky. Richard helped raise Rudolf-August and Ursula as his own children. He also became the manager of the company in 1920 and stayed in that role until he passed away.
During a Difficult Time in History
In the 1930s and 1940s, during a very difficult war period, Rudolf-August Oetker was involved with a military group. The company helped with the war effort by making pudding mixes and other supplies for German troops. During this time, the business also used workers who were forced to help in some of its factories. A statue of Richard Kaselowsky is still at the company's main office in Bielefeld. Richard Kaselowsky died during an air raid on Bielefeld in 1944. The Oetker family's business grew a lot during this period.
Growing Around the World
Rudolf August Oetker, the founder's grandson, led the company from 1944 to 1981. During his time, Dr. Oetker grew a lot and became much bigger. The company started buying many other businesses all over the world. When Rudolf Oetker stepped down, the next generation of the Oetker family took over. The family decided that the company's success was always more important than any family member's personal wishes.
August Oetker, the great-grandson of the founder, was in charge from 1981 to 2010. Under his leadership, the company continued to grow in all its different areas, including food, drinks, and even shipping.
In 2010, Richard Oetker, August Oetker's brother, became the new CEO.
Dr. Oetker Around the World
Dr. Oetker products are sold in many countries across the globe.
Australia and New Zealand
In 2011, Dr. Oetker bought a frozen pizza business in Australia. This included a popular brand called Papa Giuseppi's. In 2015, they also bought Queen Fine Foods, a brand from Queensland, Australia. They also moved into the New Zealand market with their frozen pizza products.
Brazil
In Brazil, Dr. Oetker has an office in São Paulo. They sell powdered desserts, frozen pizza, and teas there. In 2019, they bought a Brazilian baking company called Mavalerio.
Canada
The company's main office and factory in Canada are in Mississauga, Ontario. Dr. Oetker started in Canada in 1962. In 1992, they bought the "Shirriff" line of products. In 2003, the company started using the Dr. Oetker name directly. In 2011, they built their first North American factory in London, Ontario, to make frozen pizzas. In 2014, Dr. Oetker also bought McCain Foods' frozen pizza business in North America. The company helps a children's charity called SOS Children's Villages Canada.
Europe
Dr. Oetker products are very popular across Europe.
- In Denmark, you can find baking powder, frozen pizza, pudding, and cake decorations.
- In Estonia, Finland, and France, frozen pizzas are widely available.
- In Italy, Dr. Oetker products are sold under the brand name Cameo. The Italian division started in 1933.
- In Latvia, you can find frozen pizzas, baking powders, and dessert powders.
- In Lithuania, many products are available, including frozen pizzas, baking powder, and gelatin.
- In the Netherlands, they sell frozen pizza, cake mixes, and powdered desserts.
- In Norway, Dr. Oetker is one of the biggest sellers of frozen pizza. They also sell baking powder and cake decorations.
- In Poland, you can find frozen pizzas, cake decorations, and various baking powders.
- In Portugal and Spain, frozen pizzas are available in most stores.
- In Romania, the company has been present since 1998. They have a production line near Curtea de Argeș. They have also bought several local Romanian food brands.
- In Slovakia, the company bought a local factory in 1993. However, they announced in March 2023 that they would close this factory by mid-2023.
- In Sweden, Dr. Oetker's baking soda, gelatin, and frozen pizza are sold. They have an office in Gothenburg.
- In the United Kingdom, Dr. Oetker has offices in Leeds and Leyland. They sell frozen pizza under brands like Chicago Town and Ristorante. They also sell cake ingredients and mixes.
Asia
- In India, Dr. Oetker has offices in Bangalore, Mumbai, and New Delhi. They sell sauces, spreads, dessert toppings, and cake mixes.
- In Indonesia, Dr. Oetker operates under the brand Pondan. This division started in 1978.
- In Malaysia, Dr. Oetker started operating after buying Nona Foods. They now make jelly mixes, seasoning flour, pizzas, and baking preparations there.
- In Turkey, Dr. Oetker started a production facility in 1987. They make frozen pizza, baking powder, and cake mixes for the Turkish market.
- In Ukraine, Dr. Oetker has been operating since 2003.
Africa
- In Namibia, frozen pizzas are available in supermarkets.
- In South Africa, you can find frozen pizzas and other ready-to-eat frozen meals.
- In Tunisia, Dr. Oetker bought a large part of a food company called GIAS in 2012. They now produce baking ingredients, powder desserts, and cake mixes for Tunisia and other African countries.
United States
In 2014, Dr. Oetker bought McCain Foods' frozen pizza business in North America, which included Ellio's Pizza. In 2018, Dr. Oetker also bought Wilton, a company that makes cake decorating and baking products.
Radeberger Group (Breweries)
The Radeberger Group is the part of the Oetker Group that owns breweries. It is Germany's largest group of breweries. They own fifteen German breweries. Some of their well-known national beer brands include Radeberger Pils and Jever Pils. They also make non-alcoholic beer like Clausthaler.
Leaving the Russian Market
On April 8, 2022, Dr. Oetker Group announced that they were completely leaving the Russian market. They stopped all new investments and marketing activities because of the conflict in Ukraine. Dr. Oetker also sold their shares and rights to a new factory they had built in Russia. The company stated that they strongly disagreed with the actions in Ukraine and asked for peace to be restored.
Luxury Hotels
The Oetker Group also runs 10 luxury hotels under the name Oetker Collection. These hotels are in beautiful locations around the world. Some examples include:
- L'Apogée Courchevel in Courchevel, France, in the French Alps.
- Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa in Baden-Baden, Germany.
- Hôtel Le Bristol Paris, France.
- Hôtel du Cap, Cap d'Antibes, France, on the French Riviera.
- Lanesborough Hotel in London.
- Palácio Tangará in São Paulo, Brazil.
See also
In Spanish: Dr. Oetker para niños
- List of frozen food brands
