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!
Adolf Ahlers (father of Dirk Ahlers), originally a textile entrepreneur, founds a fishing shipping company in Bremerhaven with the commissioning of the fresh fish trawler "Maria von Jever". This investment in the food industry laid the foundation for the company's history.
One of the first catch factory ships in Germany. The fish is filleted and deep-frozen immediately after being caught. The catch consists of 80 to 90 % cod. The quality of the fish was excellent, but there were still hardly any distribution channels for frozen products.
FRoSTA Handelsgesellschaft mbH is founded by Managing Director Dirk Ahlers.
Takeover of the sea fish wholesaler F. Schottke (founded in 1884) and expansion into a specialist frozen food company.
Eintrag des Markennamen „FRoSTA“ als Warenzeichen ist erfolgt. In den ersten Jahren darf FRoSTA dieses Logo aufgrund von markenrechtlichen Auseinandersetzungen nur im Ausland benutzen.
Conclusion of a supply contract with Findus (Nestlé) for the production and purchase of 2,000 tons of frozen fish per year.
FRoSTA is selling all of its fishing trawlers due to the impending significant deterioration in fishing quotas for Germany.
FRoSTA is the first manufacturer to introduce hake from South America and South Africa as a raw material. Alaska pollock followed in 1974.
Introduction of the FRoSTA brand for frozen fish products and seafood specialties. The FRoSTA brand logo may now also be used in Germany.
Takeover of the Oetker production plant for frozen ready meals in Bremerhaven (Hall XX). Long-term contract for the continued production of Oetker ready meals. Ten years later, Oetker stops selling its ready meals.
Jacobs acquires Hochseefischerei Nordstern AG, founded in 1905, which is later renamed today's FRoSTA AG.
Patent registration of the coating technology. By spraying the frozen raw product mixes with the sauce, the dishes can be portioned.
Expansion of production to include frozen vegetables through the acquisition of a majority stake in Raiffeisen Tiefkühlkost GmbH (later Rheintal Tiefkühlkost GmbH) in Bobenheim Roxheim in the Palatinate.
Merger of FRoSTA, Schottke, Rheintal Tiefkühlkost and Hochseefischerei Nordstern AG. The company is renamed Nordstern Lebensmittel AG.
Construction of one of the most modern deep-freeze high-bay warehouses at the time with 8,500 pallet spaces. Also: Commissioning of the fully automated P11 fish fingers production line in Bremerhaven.
Purchase of Elbtal Tiefkühlkost in Lommatzsch / Saxony from the Treuhandanstalt. Elbtal was the best-known brand of frozen vegetables in the GDR.
Today known as FRoSTA Foodservice, this division of FRoSTA is responsible for all business customers in the food service industry, such as restaurants, canteens, social catering, system catering and much more.
Start of TV advertising for Frosta in Germany. By the way, a real FRoSTA classic was advertised: Bami Goreng.
Start of pasta production in Bremerhaven on an original Italian pasta line.
Nordstern Lebensmittel AG is renamed FRoSTA AG.
Purchase of the Unilever frozen food plant in Bydgoszcz, Poland. Production continues under license under the IGLO brand, followed by a gradual switch to FRoSTA. Conversion of the "Kapitan Iglo" quality ('mush') to FRoSTA standard (100 % fillet).
Launch of the Frosta brand in Poland for fish and ready meals with advertising support.
Commissioning of the largest high-bay warehouse with 12,500 pallet spaces, as well as commissioning of the fully automated P16 finished goods line in Bremerhaven.
Commissioning of the largest high-bay warehouse with 12,500 pallet spaces, as well as commissioning of the fully automated P16 finished goods line in Bremerhaven.
The FRoSTA Purity Law for all FRoSTA brand products in Germany goes on sale. However, against all expectations, sales of FRoSTA products plummet by 40%. With a loss of 8 million euros, 2003 is the worst year in the company's history.
Significant expansion of the production plant in Bydgoszcz, Poland. Construction of a new cold store with solar panels on the roof. This is the largest photovoltaic system in Poland.
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).
First-time preparation and publication of a corporate carbon footprint for FRoSTA AG. Agreement on specific environmental targets by 2015.
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. That is why strict CO2 limits apply to every new car order with immediate effect.
In February 2015, a combined heat and power plant will be commissioned in Bremerhaven. The CO2 savings amount to 5%, or 1,100 tons of CO2 per year!
In February 2015, a combined heat and power plant will be commissioned in Bremerhaven. The CO2 savings amount to 5%, or 1,100 tons of CO2 per year!
Opening of the first " transparent production" window on the Lunedeich in Bremerhaven. Viewing windows are planned over a length of 100 meters. Passers-by can now see directly from the street how the fish products are made.
Frosta AG decides to donate 2% of the dividend amount to charity every year. Part of the sum is spent in the countries of origin of the FRoSTA ingredients. The employees of FRoSTA AG decide together which projects will be supported.
FRoSTA takes over the Italian frozen food brands "La Valle degli Orti" and "Mare fresca" from Nestlé Italia as of June 1, 2017.
In 2020, we developed the first paper bag for frozen products for the FRoSTA brand. We received the German Packaging Award in the "Sustainability" category for this.
Pioneer of responsible production of meat, fish and their alternatives. In November 2023, we were awarded the German Sustainability Award for the fourth time after 2012, 2016 and 2020.