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Karl Düsterberg founded “apetito ready meal” in Rheine, Germany. The new company produced frozen ready meals for retail, business canteens, schools, nurseries and Meals on Wheels in Germany.

The first German contract catering company was founded, “apetito catering”.

apetito continued to expand, developing new products and concepts to meet the growing demand for catering systems:

• Introduction of frozen meals to the traditional meals on wheels service.
• Free choice for gourmets.
• Development of Multi-Plus, a frozen multi-portion system of individual portion components.

apetito expanded its production facilities in Rheine to meet the demands of the growing business. New administration offices were built.

apetito developed its strategy, “Vision 2000”, which planned international expansion.

• 1989 apetito B.V in The Hague in the Netherlands founded.
• 1991 apetito (UK) Limited in Sevenoaks in the UK founded.
• 1995 acquisition of Waldens Wiltshire Foods Limited in Trowbridge, in the UK.
• 1996 acquisition of Nord Restauration S.H. in Compiègne, France
• 2001 acquisition of Orlysienne du Nord, in Orly, France

By the end of the century, the business outside of Germany accounted for around one quarter of apetito’s total turnover.

This period saw major investment in product quality and an increasing commitment to environmental issues.

• 1994 achieved ISO 9001 certification.
• 1999 Eco-management award.
• 2000 adopted new ISO 9001 : 2000 standards.
• 2002 certification to EMAS II.

The production facilities were continually modernised and extended to enable the development of new and innovative food related systems and services.

“apetito consult” and the “apetito academy” were launched in Germany.

Acquisition of Hansa Tiefkühlmenü in Hilter, Germany, later to be known as apetito convenience.

Acquisition of Butcher & Baker Foods Limited in Dudley, UK, later to be known as apetito foodservice.

apetito, the UK’s leading supplier of ready meals, has been awarded the Queen’s Award for Enterprise 2005 in the innovation category in recognition of its contribution and innovative approach to Meals on Wheels.

The Awards only honour outstanding achievement and are awarded each year by the Queen, on the advice of the Prime Minister, who is assisted by an Advisory Committee that includes representatives of Government, industry and commerce and the trade unions.

We assure apetito’s economic independence achieving higher-than-average profit and growth rates.

apetito receives “Ethics in Business Award“ 2005.

apetito is awarded the “Ethics in Business“ prize 2005 for its outstanding commitment to environmental and social issues and in recognition of apetito’s business policies which are based on the principles of sustainability, fairness and responsibility.

In December, apetito inaugurated a new deep-freeze warehouse at the Rheine headquarters providing space for 6,000 pallets, or 3 million meals. The new warehouse will contribute to improving logistic processes and the flow of work and material.

apetito launches its first ever national TV advertising campaign in November with the slogan “We love it fresh!” The spots are broadcasted on all major private TV channels and focuss on the freshness of ingredients, on culinary art and on food as a treat.

January: acquisition of Bonfait B.V, a Dutch manufacturer of chilled food for the retail and wholesale business and for retirement homes.

April: apetito takes over Private Recipes Ltd., a Canadian manufacturer of frozen meals. The Toronto-based company delivers its products to Meals-on-Wheels organisations, to hospitals and to retirement homes.

November: the acquires COSTA Meeresspezialitäten GmbH & Co. KG, the leading German manufacturer of frozen fish and seafood from Dr. Oetker group, boosting apetito’s stake in seafood retailing.