Dr. August Oetker (1862-1918) laid the foundation for today's giant company. He invented the usable baking powder, which he successfully marketed together with other products under the Dr. Oetker brand. From very small beginnings he developed a major food company. Dr. Richard Kaselowsky (1888-1944), who had married into the Oetker family, continued the work of the founder and expanded the company through activities in Germany and neighbouring countries. Rudolf-August Oetker (1916-2007), the grandson of the company's founder, became involved in other industries in addition to the food business. As a result of the diversification strategy and his will to expand, the Oetker Group was formed. Dr. h. c. August Oetker (*1944) is the fourth generation of the family to pursue the internationalisation of the business, whereby the Oetker Group is primarily active in Europe, with the exception of global shipping.
Today, with over 22,000 employees, the Oetker Group is one of the large, internationally active family businesses. The holding company of the Oetker Group is Dr. August Oetker KG. On the basis of the diversification strategy serving to balance risk, six business divisions were formed in which the companies manage the operative business with a high degree of independence. These are Food, Beer and Non-Alcoholic Beverages, Sparkling Wine Wine and Spirits, Shipping, Banking/Insurance and Other Interests. Among others, the following important German sparkling wine brands belong to the group (via Henkell): Deinhard, Fürst von Metternich, Henkell, Kupferberg and Söhnlein. See also under Globalisation and Largest Wine Companies in the World.
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