On this page you will see some of the important landmarks in FRoSTA AG’s company history. It runs from the humble beginnings in the fifties to the foundation of the company in 1961 and on through the groundbreaking innovations of the eighties right up to the present day. You can select different decades in the timeline and the green double arrows at either end will take you to the end or back to the beginning. We hope you will enjoy time-travelling with us!
1954
„Maria von Jewer“
Adolf Ahlers (Dirk Ahler’s father), who was actually a textile manufacturer, founded a shipping company specialising in fishing at Bremerhaven by commissioning the fresh fish trawler “Maria von Jever”. This investment in the food sector laid down the foundation for the entire company history.1957
Launching of the “Sagitta”
This was one of Germany’s first factory vessels. Immediately after being caught the fish underwent a filleting and deep-freezing process. 80 to 90% of the catch consisted of cod. The quality of the fish was excellent but, at that time, there were hardly any distribution channels available for frozen foods.1961
Foundation of FRoSTA
Managing Director Dirk Ahlers founded the limited company FRoSTA (GmbH).1963
Acquisition of F. Schottke
Acquisition of the sea fish wholesaler F. Schottke (founded in 1884) and expansion into a specialist frozen food operation.1963
FRoSTA becomes a trademark
Entry of the brand name “FRoSTA” as a trademark. During the first few years FRoSTA was only allowed to use its logo abroad due to trademark disputes.1964
Supply contract with Findus
Conclusion of a supply contract with Findus (Nestle‚) for the production and purchase of 2,000 tonnes of frozen fish per annum.1970
Sale of fishing trawlers
Due to the start of a decline in fishing quotas in Germany, FRoSTA sells all of its fishing trawlers.1973
Hake as a raw material
FRoSTA becomes the first manufacturer to import hake as a raw material from South America and South Africa followed by Alaska Pollock in 1974.1976
New - FRoSTA fish fingers
Introduction of frozen fish products and frozen sea food delicacies under the FRoSTA trademark.1982
Acquistition of Oetker plant
Acquisition of the Oetker production plant for frozen ready-made meals in Bremerhaven (production shop XX). Signing of a long-term contract for further production of Oetker ready-made meals. Ten years later Oetker discontinues its distribution of ready meals.1984
Acquisition of the distant water fishing company Nordstern AG
Acquisition from Jacobs of the Nordstern AG distant water fishing company that was founded in 1905 and which was later rebranded with the current FRoSTA AG brand.1984
Coating technology
Registration of coating technology patent. By spraying the frozen raw material mixes with a sauce the meals can be easily portioned.1986
Expanding production of frozen vegetables
Expansion of frozen vegetable production through the acquisition of the largest part of Raiffeisen Tiefkühlkost GmbH (later renamed Rheintal Tiefkühlkost GmbH) in Bobenheim Roxheim in Rhineland-Palatinate.1988
Nordstern Lebensmittel AG
Merger of FRoSTA, Schottke, Rheintal Tiefkühlkost and the distant water fishing company Nordstern AG and change of name to Nordstern Lebensmittel AG.1990
Modern frozen food high-bay warehouse
Building of one of the most advanced frozen food high-bay warehouses of the time with storage space for 8,500 pallets. In addition, start-up of a fully automated P11 fish finger production line in Bremerhaven.1990
Acquisition of Elbtal Tiefkühlkost
Acquisition of Elbtal Tiefkühlkost in Lommatzsch/ Saxony from the Treuhandanstalt (Trust Agency). Elbtal was once the most well-known frozen vegetable brand in the GDR.1993
First FRoSTA TV advert
Start of FRoSTA television advertising in Germany. The advert was for a real FRoSTA classic called Bami Goreng.1997
Pasta in Bremerhaven
Start-up of pasta production in Bremerhaven using an original Italian pasta production line.1997
Nordstern becomes FRoSTA
Renaming of Nordstern Lebensmittel AG to FRoSTA AG.1999
Unilever frozen food plant in Poland
Acquisition of the Unilever frozen food plant Bydgoszcz in Poland. Production is continued under licence via the IGLO brand then gradually changed over to FRoSTA. Conversion of the “Käpt’n Iglo” quality (mash product) to FRoSTA standard (100 % fillet).2000
FRoSTA products in Poland
Launch of the FRoSTA brand for fish and ready-made meals in Poland supported by an advertising campaign.2001
Start of “Mission” project
Start of the “Mission” project. It takes 25,000 working hours to change all of the FRoSTA recipes. The result is ready meals without additives and labelled with an open declaration of responsibly sourced ingredients.2001
New high-bay warehouse
Commencing operation of the largest high-bay warehouse with storage space for 12,500 pallets as well as the start-up of a fully automated P16 production line for ready meals in Bremerhaven.2002
Plant for waste water recycling
Commencing operation of a waste water recycling plant at Elbtal plant. It recycles waste water into drinking water and also converts the organic components produced from the process into methane gas. The gas is used to generate energy.2003
Start of FRoSTA’s ‘purity regulation’
Implementation of FRoSTA’s purity regulation for all products under the FRoSTA brand in Germany. Against all expectations, the sales of FRoSTA products plummets by 40% and with a loss of 8 million Euros 2003 goes down as the worst year in FRoSTA’s company history.2004
FRoSTA opens registered office in Hamburg
Following group internal restructuring “FRoSTA Deutschland” (with its marketing and sales departments) opens its registered office in Hamburg in 2004.2004
FRoSTA products in Hungary
Launch of the FRoSTA brand in Hungary supported by an advertising campaign.2005
Start of FRoSTA blog
FRoSTA is one of the first companies in Germany to have an “Internet diary” (blog). The FRoSTA blog goes online in 2005. Its goal is to provide first-hand information about the FRoSTA brand in an open and honest fashion.2008
Largest photovoltaic system in Poland
Substantial expansion of production in Bydgoszcz, Poland. Building of a refrigerated warehouse with solar panels on the roof - this is Poland’s largest photovoltaic system.2008
Participation in PCF pilot project
Does frozen food contribute to climate change? Together with 8 other companies FRoSTA participates in a pilot project to determine the product-related carbon footprints, led by the Freiburg Eco-Institute and the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK).2009
FRoSTA products in Romania
Launch of the FRoSTA brand in Romania supported by an advertising campaign. In addition, start-up of a fully automated P17 production line for ready-made meals in Bremerhaven.2010
Publishing of carbon footprint
The PCF pilot project delivers results! The carbon footprints of all FRoSTA products were determined and published. Important finding: depending on the scenario, the consumer is responsible for 15 to 70 percent of the total production of CO2.2011
FRoSTA’s first climate footprint evaluation
Initial establishment and publication of FRoSTA AG’s climate footprint evaluation. Agreement on specific environmental targets up to 2015.2011
MSC seal of approval for FRoSTA
FRoSTA converts fully to MSC certified fish and seafood. The blue MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) seal of approval enjoys a high level of trust worldwide and stands for sustainable fishing.2012
Sustainability award
FRoSTA obtains the 2012 German Sustainability Award in the category “Most sustainable Brand”. Since 2008 the award has been given by the German Sustainability Award Foundation.2013
‘Purity regulation’ becomes international
FRoSTA’s purity regulation is now applicable to all FRoSTA products including those produced in other European countries (Poland, Hungary and Romania). In addition, start-up of the most advanced P11fish finger end-of-line packing system in Bremerhaven.2013
Green regulations for company cars
An ambitious target for FRoSTA’s corporate vehicle fleet: by 2020 the average CO2 value of all FRoSTA company cars is to be reduced to 95gram/km. Consequently, strict CO2 limits become applicable for every new car purchased. This applies to field service vehicles as well as cars for board members.2013
FRoSTA’s ingredient tracking system
Launch of FRoSTA’s ingredient tracking system. The country of origin of any ingredient can be retrieved via a tracking code right there in the supermarket. In addition, production videos and an ingredients world map are displayed on the website.2014
‘Green Card’ for FRoSTA
FRoSTA AG’s vehicle fleet receives the “Green Card” from Deutsche Umwelthilfe, the German environmental aid organization, for its “authentic climate awareness”. The CO2 emissions of all company cars, including those of board members, were examined. In addition, the return of FRoSTA fish fingers!2015
Saving of 1,000 t of CO2
February 2015 is the start-up of a combined heat and power plant in Bremerhaven. Savings in CO2 emissions amount to 5% or 1,100 t CO2 per year!2015
FRoSTA in bella Italia
Launch of the FRoSTA brand in Italy. The Italian purity regulation “Nel surgelaresiamo tedeschi” translated into English means “Where frozen food is concerned we are German”.2015
‘Transparent production’ in Bremerhaven
Launch of the first “transparent production” window at Lunedeich in Bremerhaven. Windows as long as 100 metres are planned. Passersby will be able to see the production facility from the street and watch fish products actually being manufactured.2015
New donation policy
FRoSTA AG decides to donate 2% of the dividend payout to charity each year. A part of this sum is spent in the countries that the FRoSTA ingredients originate from. A mutual decision by FRoSTA AG’s employees dictates which projects will be supported.2016
Eco-friendly plastic bags
A 30% improvement in the climate footprint of plastic bags and material consumption significantly reduced. FRoSTA plastic bags consist of a single plastic with an exceptionally high recycling value. They are printed using water-based paints.2017
Aid project with ‘Plan International’
FRoSTA starts a two-year educational project together with ‘Plan International’. The project to reduce poverty and deprivation in Ecuador has a budget of 150,000 Euros and offers career opportunities for 200 juveniles.2017