Historical FRoSTA AG Events

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!

„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.

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.

Foundation of FRoSTA

Managing Director Dirk Ahlers founded the limited company FRoSTA (GmbH).

Acquisition of F. Schottke

Acquisition of the sea fish wholesaler F. Schottke (founded in 1884) and expansion into a specialist frozen food operation.

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.

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.

Sale of fishing trawlers

Due to the start of a decline in fishing quotas in Germany, FRoSTA sells all of its fishing trawlers.

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.

New - FRoSTA fish fingers

Introduction of frozen fish products and frozen sea food delicacies under the FRoSTA trademark.

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.

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.

Coating technology

Registration of coating technology patent. By spraying the frozen raw material mixes with a sauce the meals can be easily portioned.

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.

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.

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.

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.

First FRoSTA TV advert

Start of FRoSTA television advertising in Germany. The advert was for a real FRoSTA classic called Bami Goreng.

Pasta in Bremerhaven

Start-up of pasta production in Bremerhaven using an original Italian pasta production line.

Nordstern becomes FRoSTA

Renaming of Nordstern Lebensmittel AG to FRoSTA AG.

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).

FRoSTA products in Poland

Launch of the FRoSTA brand for fish and ready-made meals in Poland supported by an advertising campaign.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

FRoSTA products in Hungary

Launch of the FRoSTA brand in Hungary supported by an advertising campaign.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

‘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.

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.

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.

‘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!

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!

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”.

‘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.

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.

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.

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.

Acquisition of Italian frozen food brands

FRoSTA acquires the Italian frozen food brands "La Valle degli Orti" and "Mare fresca" from Nestlé Italia on 1st June 2017.