2008

Common Market Organisation for sugar

Nordzucker renounced 13.5 per cent of its German production quota on 31 January 2008. Nordzucker also renounced 13.5 per cent of its quota in Poland, 31.6 per cent in Hungary, and 10.5 per cent in Slovakia. Renouncement of quotas is compensated for by the payment of restructuring grants. 

The longest beet campaign in Nordzucker’s history lasting 139.02 days came to an end at the Güstrow factory on 4.2.2008. This also meant the closure of the Güstrow factory.

On 10 March, the Board of Managing Directors of Matra Cukor announced the suspension of sugar production from sugar beet. Matra Cukor’s last factory in Hungary at Szerencs, was thus closed.

A pilot plant for the generation of biogas has been operating at the site of the former sugar factory in Groß Munzel since January 2008. The project runs to the end of the year to test whether biogas can be generated throughout the year from beet and beet pulp, with the aim of feeding it into the gas grid.

Climate & Renewables GmbH, an E.ON subsidiary, is a partner in the project.

 Melasse-Extraktion-Frellstedt is to close its molasses desaccarification operation in Frellstedt in 2008 following a decision reached by the two partners Nordzucker and the Dr.  Wolfgang Boettger-Group in Berlin. The production of liquid sugar from molasses is uneconomic in the long term.

2007

Second year of the reformed Common Market Organisation for sugar.

In line with the resolution adopted by the Supervisory Board on 27 September 2007, Nordzucker will shut down its sugar production in Güstrow. Nordzucker will close the Güstrow factory at the end of the 2007 beet campaign.

Matra Cukor decided to renounce one third of its Hungarian sugar quota. This meant the closure of its factory in Szolnok.

The Federal Cartel Office gave its consent on 25 May 2007 to the establishment of Eurosugar, headquartered in Paris. This organisation bundles the European sugar distribution activities of the three equal partners Nordzucker, Braunschweig; Cristal Union, Paris; and ED&F Man, London. The new company has marketed around two million tonnes of sugar in the EU since October 2007, and supplies clients in Europe.

Eurosugar founded the ESI joint venture in October 2007 with the Italian company SFIR, with the aim of marketing EU sugar and import sugar in central and southern Italy. A joint venture has also been set up with Greencore plc with the aim of establishing Sugarpartners for distribution in Ireland.

The bioethanol plant operated by fuel 21 GmbH & Co. KG, a 100 per cent subsidiary of Nordzucker, was commissioned on 15.12.2007. This is the first plant of its kind in Germany that produces bioethanol exclusively from sugar beet. 130,000 cubic metres of bioethanol per year are now being produced in the plant annexed to the Klein Wanzleben sugar factory.

To supply the raw materials for the bioethanol plant, three tanks with a capacity of 160 cubic metres per tank were constructed in Wanzleben and Nordstemmen for the 2007 campaign.

2006

Concentration on the market and core processes

Sugar Regime

The old quota regulations laid down in the Sugar Regime ended on 30 June.

The openings created for LDC and ACP countries intensifies competition in the sugar market. Nordzucker loses 200 000 tonnes of sugar with the new quota regulations; the beet cultivation area will shrink by 15 to 20 per cent.

Nordzucker closes its factories in Wierthe and Groß Munzel.

Nordzucker buys 72 000 tonnes of extra quota from the German Ministry of Nutrition, Agriculture and Consumer Protection.

Eurosugar

Together with its partners Cristal Union (Paris) and ED&F Man (London), Nordzucker submits an application to the Directorate General Competition at the EU Commission to establish an international distribution company.

Strengthening its European market position. Nordzucker holds a 51 per cent stake in the joint venture with the Serbian MKC-Group, which owns an annual EU import quota of 180 000 tonnes sugar.

Construction of a bioethanol plant in Klein Wanzleben

This opens up a new biomass business sector for Nordzucker in the biofuels segment.

The work of InnoSweet GmbH is terminated.

Authorised capital

From 2002 to 2007 Euro 50.9 million

2005

German Corporate Governance Code

Internationally recognised standards governing the management and monitoring of publicly quoted companies, which non-publicly quoted companies are also recommended to comply with, are aimed at improving control and transparency.

Nordzucker pledges to comply with the CGC and to regularly publish its business procedures and latest financial figures in accordance with IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards).

Capital increase

Shares with a value of Euro 20.6 million were issued. Authorised capital to 2010 totals Euro 32 million.

Revoking the restriction on the sale of shares

Although ensuring that the majority of shares are held by farmers, the company is gradually opening itself to external investors.

InnoSweet GmbH takes over tasks handled by InnoCenter GmbH

New products

• White and brown mini cubes for minimum sweetening
• “Sugar Dreams” Vanilla, Cinnamon and Rum

2004

The "Blue World" of Nordzucker with a new international look. SweetFamily is the EU-wide master brand for Nordzucker which now also rolls out Nordzucker’s “blue” identity to all Nordzucker’s household sugar specialities in Hungary, Poland and the Czech Republic.

Business Development

Nordzucker GmbH & Co. KG as the distribution company, and Rechenzentrum Zucker (Sugar Computing Centre) are integrated within Nordzucker AG.

Strategic reorientation focussing on core competence "Sugar"

Nordzucker sells esparma GmbH in Osterweddingen.

The Institut für Technologie der Kohlenhydrate - Zuckerinstitut - e.V. is renamed InnoCenter GmbH. Its aim is to develop new products and methods to support Nordzucker in expanding its "Competence in Sweeteners" business, and alternative sweeteners. Another task is to support farmers with information on “Biomass”.

InnoSweet GmbH

This company bundles Nordzucker’s activities concerning innovative sweeteners such as polyoles or artificial sweeteners and special sugar for food products. Nordzucker AG is therefore able to proactively respond to the new nutritional trends Functional Food and Wellness, and harness the synergies with its core business.

New products

•          Brown sugar in a handy shaker
•          Brown sugar cubes

Zucker-Aktiengesellschaft Uelzen-Braunschweig, Uelzen transfers its assets to Nordzucker Holding AG

EU entry of Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary. The Sugar Regime now also applies to these countries as well

Hungary

Merger in July of the three Hungarian sugar companies (Matra Cukor, Szolnoki Cukorgyar and Szerencsi Cukorgyar) to form Matra Cukor, in which Nordzucker AG holds a stake of 98.8 per cent; Hatvan sugar factory closed after the 2004 campaign.

Slovak Republik

Povazsky Cukor  and Trnavsky Cukrovar a.s. are merged to form Povazsky Cukor a.s.

Closure of Trnava factory after the 2004 campaign.

2003

Repurchase of first direct shares

After receiving the consent of the Cartel Office, Nordzucker AG acquires Union-Zucker Südhannover GmbH, Nordstemmen.

Closure: Schleswig after the 2003 campaign

Competence in sweeteners

SweetGredients is a joint venture with Arla Foods Ingredients amba, for the market oriented further development of Nordzucker’s core competence and the industrial production of tagatose. Tagatose is a new type of sweetener made from lactose which in addition to being low-calorie also has a number of functional properties making it highly suitable for the Functional Food sector. Approved in the USA.

New products

• Diet preserving sugar
• Organic preserving sugar
• Brown tea sugar
• Organic sugar
• Backträume (Baking Dreams) in three flavours: Vanilla, Rum and Cinnamon

Increasing stake in French Syral S.A from 36 to 50 per cent. Nordzucker now an equal partner with Union SDA (Tereos).

Capital increase by Euro 4.6 million

Czech Republic

Closure of Melnik factory after the 2003 campaign.

Poland

Last campaign in the Krasiniec factory

Establishment of the new companies:

• Wielkopolski Cukier S.A., with the Opalenica factory
• Pomorski Cukier S.A., with the Chelmza factory

Hungary

Nordzucker purchases three Hungarian sugar factories from the French company Béghin-Say

• Szolnoki Cukorgyar Rt., Szolnok
• Matra Cukor Rt., Hatvan
• Szerencsi cukorgyar, Szerencs combined (sugar quota 140 000 tonnes)

Nordzucker AG therefore owns 36 per cent of the Hungarian sugar market

Slovakia

After acquiring the shares held by Union SDA in the Slovakian company Povazsky Cukor, Nordzucker holds 96 per cent of the company with a share of 40 per cent in the Slovakian market.

Povazsky Cukor holds a majority stake in Trnavsky Cukrovar A.S. 

2002

Factory structure concept

 Poland

Closures:

•         Szamotuly
•         Melno
•         Wschowa

Czech Republic

Merger of TTD Dobrovice and PCS (Prazska cukerni spolecnost) to form Cukrovary TTD A.S., Dobrovice. Factories involved:

•         Dobrovice
•         Melnik
•         Ceske Mezirici

2001

The liquid sugar factory in Lehrte is moved to Nordstemmen.

"Akzente" is launched to provide regular reports on activities throughout the group.

Greenfox GmbH, development and marketing of new products in the pet accessories market.

Filou, launch of an organic cat litter product made from beet pulp.

"Satisfaction is measurable" the slogan for the first employee survey.

Closure: Baddeckenstedt 2001

2000

Adjustment of the organisational structure

Integration of employees in Nordzucker AG’s expansion strategy: start of the performance programme with a number of qualification measures for staff. These include the “Brain Pool“ (since 1 August) which enables all staff to submit ideas for making improvements. The best suggestions win prizes and are implemented.

The Nordzucker way includes:

• Diversification
• Expansion of its core competence through targeted trade investments in east European EU member countries (expansion of the Central and East European Country business)

Nordzucker AG acquires 14 per cent of the nominal capital of Union-Zucker Südhannover GmbH, Nordstemmen.

Growth potential in the sweeteners market

With the acquisition of a 36 per cent stake in SYRAL S.A., Marckolsheim, via the takeover of the shares held by Union SDA, Nordzucker expands its product range in the natural sweeteners segment. Syral specialises in the production of glucose syrup from maize starch and hydrolysates, and therefore supplements the sweeteners segment. Other products are dextrose, maltodextrine and sorbitol.

Acquisition of Hübner/ Medopharm Group, Ehrenkirchen. Expansion of the segment for food supplements and pharmaceuticals from natural products. Exchange of ideas with NPE.

esparma GmbH moves into a new building in Osterweddingen near Magdeburg.

 Poland

Establishment of Nordzucker Polska GmbH & Co. KG, a joint distribution company for all Polish sugar factories in which Nordzucker AG has a majority holding: to bundle the marketing potential of the Polish sugar companies.

Nordzucker acquires a majority stake of 91 per cent in Cukrowina Wschowa S.A., Wschowa.

Majority stakes in the sugar factories in

•          Szamotuly (Posener Group)
•          Chelmza
•          Krasiniec
•          Melno (Thorner Group)           

Nordzucker AG thus has approx. 10 per cent of the Polish sugar market.

1999

Nordzucker AG shareholders exercise their direct shareholding rights in Nordzucker AG. 4 059 shares with restricted resale rights are issued.

Closure: Lehrte 1999

Poland

Poland is an attractive market with expansion potential. Nordzucker acquires a majority shareholding of 51 per cent in Cukrownia Opalenica S.A., Opalenica.

1998

Diversification

The acquisition of NPE Natur Pharma GmbH in Bielefeld boosts the pharmaceutical business. NPE develops and markets pharma products and food and snacks using natural ingredients. The products include generic pharmaceuticals in the health sector.

Closure: Königslutter

Slovakia

As part of its core competence expansion strategy, Nordzucker AG acquires a 50 per cent stake together with Union SDA (Union des Sucreries et Distilleries Agricoles) in the Slovakian company WORD A.S., which has majority stakes in three sugar factories, and is the largest sugar producer in Slovakia.

Locations:

•          Suriansky Cukrovar a.s., Surany
•          Trnavsky Cukrovar a.s., Trnava
•          Povazsky Cukrovar a.s., Trencianska Tepla

Nordzucker AG therefore now has a 45 per cent share of the Slovakian sugar market.

1997

The birth of Nordzucker AG. Nordzucker AG is created by transferring the assets of Zucker Aktiengesellschaft Uelzen-Braunschweig to the Zucker Verbund Nord AG, later renamed Nordzucker AG. Nordzucker is thus the third largest sugar producer in Europe.

The owners of the new company headquarted in Braunschweig are seven sugar companies:

• Fallersleben-Meiner Zucker AG
• Hannover Zucker AG Lehrte
• Schleswig-Holsteinische Zucker AG
• Zuckerfabrik Süderdithmarschen AG
• Magdeburger Zucker Beteiligungs AG
• Zucker Aktiengesellschaft Uelzen-Braunschweig
• Nordharzer Zucker AG.

A holding structure is selected with the aim of preserving the regional character and to provide maximum support for the capital strength of the new company. Nordzucker AG transfers shareholdings to the holding companies in return for the transfer of the assets and the operative business. Nordzucker AG processes sugar beet at eleven locations in Germany:

• Baddeckenstedt
• Clauen
• Groß Munzel
• Güstrow
• Klein Wanzleben
• Königslutter
• Lehrte
• Schladen
• Schleswig
• Uelzen
• Wierthe

It has trade investments in four factories in the Czech Republic managed by Nordzucker International GmbH.

The Institut für Technologie der Kohlenhydrate - Zuckerinstitut - e.V., Braunschweig is taken over by Nordzucker AG and Union-Zucker Südhannover GmbH as an in-house research institute.

Czech Republic

Nordzucker AG acquires 36 per cent of Prvni Ceská Cukerni, A.S., Hradec Králové, which owns several sugar factories in Bohemia. Union SDA and Nordzucker AG own 40 per cent of the Czech sugar market.

1996

Nordzucker GmbH & Co KG launches its "Blue World" branding. The new uniform blue corporate design highlights the unmistakeable identity of all Nordzucker products.

Zuckerfabrik Nordkristall GmbH renamed Nordkristall GmbH in March.

The forward looking east European strategy dominates company policy in the following years.

ZAG International GmbH bundles the activities outside Germany and manages acquisitions and trade investments in central and east European countries.

cff Calenberger Feinfrost GmbH & Co. KG in Barsinghausen, in which ZVN has a 26 per cent stake, and a limited partnership capital of DM 16 million, is closed after failing to maintain its position in the light of the price pressures and oversupply in the frozen food sector.

BKW Bio-Kraftwerk-Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG, in which ZVN also has limited partnership capital of 140 TDM, is also wound up.

Czech Republic

ZAG forms a joint venture with the French Union SDA (Union des Sucreries et Distilleries Agricoles) to acquire a 33 per cent stake in the Czech sugar company Cukrovar a Rafinerie Cukru Dobrovice TTD (Thurn und Taxis Dobrovice) A.S., Dobrovice, which has a majoriy shareholding in Prazská cukerni spolecnost, A.S., Cakovice.

Locations:

•          Dobrovice
•          Melnik
•          Ceské Mezirici

 Poland

Establishment of Concukro Sp.Z.o.o., later Polska Sp.Z.o.o., Posen. This  company represents the interests of Nordzucker AG in Poland, as well as preparing trade investments and advising farmers on beet cultivation matters.

1995

Go ahead for the continuation of the European Sugar Regime to 2001.

EU comprises 15 member states whose sugar production at 15 495 million tonnes is higher than the previous year.

Environmental aspects play an increasing role in corporate governance.

The companies implement an environmental management system, and are amongst the first in Germany to be audited and certified pursuant to the EU Environment Directives. Quality management, environmental protection and occupational safety are all part of an integrated system which guarantees the high sugar production standards and requires the active support of the employees.

1994

Completion of the expansion and modernisation work at the Güstrow factory.

ZVN takes over the new factory in Klein Wanzleben. All factories operated by ZVN, ZAG and Union-Zucker are certified on the basis of the international quality management standard DIN EN ISO 9001.

1993

ZAG increases its stake in Norddeutschen Zucker GmbH & Co. KG (Nordzucker) to 36.1 per cent. In addition to the liquid sugar factory in Lehrte (running since 1973) Nordzucker GmbH & Co KG now also runs another in Groß Munzel whose product range includes liquid sugar, fondant and fructose.

June sees the launch of the regular staff magazine "Schnitzelpresse" to strengthen internal communications.

Shareholder newsletters are also launched in parallel to enhance the flow of information.

ZAG sells the operative business of Moritz Eiskonfekt GmbH, Hamburg and Karl-Ernst Becker OHG, Uelzen.

Closure of the beet delivery centres in: Groß Lafferde, Twülpstedt, Watenstedt

Closure Schöppenstedt

Beet transport is arranged by the beet farmers themselves in future by way of "Machine Rings". Beet no longer delivered to the Uelzen factory by rail.

1992

Aktien-Zuckerfabrik Schöppenstedt and Zuckerfabrik Königslutter-Twülpstedt Aktiengesellschaft, as well as their 100 per cent subsidiary Elm-Asse Ballaststoff-Produktions- und Vertriebsgesellschaft (produces dietary fibre from sugar beet) merge with Zuckeraktiengesellschaft Uelzen-Braunschweig.

Zuckerfabrik Nordkristall GmbH is formed by the merger of the sugar factories in Salzwedel, Wismar, Güstrow and Lübz. The Güstrow factory takes over the processing capacities from the other factories. ZAG pledges to modernise and expand the factory in Güstrow.

Closures:

• Lübz 1991
• Salzwedel 1991
• Wismar 1992

Construction starts in Klein Wanzleben. ZVN builds one of the most modern sugar factories in Europe from 1992 to 1994, with a beet processing capacity of 10 000 tonnes per day.

1991

German reunification leads to the restructuring of the sugar industry in the former GDR.

Zuckeraktiengesellschaft Uelzen-Braunschweig acquires three sugar factory companies:

Zuckerfabrik "Nordkristall" GmbH i. A. (Güstrow factory)

Zuckerfabrik Salzwedel GmbH i. A.

Zuckerfabrik Wismar GmbH i. A. from Deutsche Ostzucker AG, Halle, and therefore acquires 13 per cent of the sugar quota of the sugar factories in the former GDR.

Zuckerverbund Nord AG acquires three sugar companies (Börde GmbH in Klein Wanzleben, Haldensleben GmbH in Haldensleben and F.C. Achard GmbH in Genthin) with seven sugar factories which are all shut down within three years:

Aderstedt (1993), Genthin (1990), Goldbeck (1992), Hadmersleben (1990), Haldensleben (1994), Klein Wanzleben (1990) and Weferlingen (1990).

Zuckerverbund Nord AG pledges to build a new factory as part of the restructuring of the sugar industry in Sachsen-Anhalt.

Amino GmbH, Frellstedt, in which Norddeutsche Zucker GmbH & Co. KG, Uelzen has a 50 per cent stake, acquires esparma Pharmazeutische Factory GmbH in Magdeburg in July 1991. esparma produces pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.

1990

Five sugar companies decide to restructure the north German sugar industry by merging their assets to form Zuckerverbund Nord Aktiengesellschaft (ZVN). The company has a holding structure which enables the following participating companies to largely retain their original voting rights: Fallersleben-Meiner Zucker AG, Nordharzer Zucker AG, Hannover Zucker AG Lehrte, Schleswig Holsteinische Zucker AG  and Zuckerfabrik Süderdithmarschen AG. This is a major step forward in establishing a joint north German sugar company.

Closures:

•         Meine 1991
•         Rethen 1993
•         Fallersleben 1994
•         St. Michaelisdonn 1996

 Establishment of Zuckerverbund Magdeburg GmbH (ZVM).

 ZAG acquires a 26 per cent stake in Ludwig Schokolade GmbH, Aachen.

1989

Zucker-Aktiengesellschaft Uelzen-Braunschweig acquires Moritz Eiskonfekt in Hamburg on 1 January. Moritz Eiskonfekt is a market leader in this chocolate ice speciality sector. Filling capacity per shift is max. 42 tonnes per day. Around half of the production is exported. Annual turnover around DM 20 million. 100 employees.

1988

The subsidiary Handels- und Transport GmbH, Uelzen of Zucker-Aktiengesellschaft Uelzen-Braunschweig takes over the producer of extended shelf-life bakery products Karl-Ernst-Becker GmbH, Uelzen.

1986

Hannover Zucker AG Lehrte is formed from Hannoverschen Zucker AG Rethen-Weetzen and Lehrter Zucker AG, which operate sugar factories in Rethen, Sehnde, Clauen, Lehrte, and Groß Munzel.

Closures:

•         Dinklar 1986
•         Barum 1986
•         Weetzen 1986
•         Sehnde 1988

1985

Zuckerfabrik Uelzen AG merges with Braunschweiger Zucker AG to form Zucker-Aktiengesellschaft Uelzen-Braunschweig (ZAG) based in Uelzen.

1984

The companies Fallersleben-Salzdahlum AG and Zuckerfabrik Papenteich zu Meine AG merge to form Fallersleben-Meine Zucker AG.

1981

Nordeutsche Zucker GmbH & Co. KG acquires a 50 per cent stake in Amino GmbH and 50 per cent of Norddeutschen Zucker-Raffinerie GmbH, both in Frellstedt.

1969

The sugar factories in Weetzen and Rethen merge to form Hannoverschen Zucker AG Rethen-Weetzen, which is subsequently incorporated within the Zuckerverbund Nord AG.

Closure: Weetzen 1985

1968

The member states of the European Economic Community (EEC) agree on quota regulations for sugar. The Sugar Regime regulates for each sugar producing country the maximum production volumes with guaranteed sales rights and limited price guarantees for sugar beet and sugar.

1967

12 September 1967 saw the establishment of the joint distribution company Norddeutsche Zucker GmbH & Co. KG based in Uelzen. It takes over the marketing and sale of the incorporated sugar producing companies.

Limited partners are:

Zuckerfabrik Uelzen AG, Uelzen (21.76%)

Lehrter Zucker AG, Lehrte, Clauen, Peine (19.13%)

Nordharzer Zucker AG, Schladen, Baddeckenstedt, Oestrum (18.13%)

Braunschweiger Zucker AG, Wierthe, Barum  (15.37%)

Schleswig-Holsteinische Zucker AG, Schleswig (10.26%)

Zuckerfabrik Königslutter AG, Königslutter (6.48%)

Zuckerfabrik Fallerleben-Salzdahlum AG, Fallersleben (5.28%)

Zuckerfabrik Sehnde AG, Sehnde (3.60%)

1964

The "Vereinigten Zuckerfabriken Hornburg-Schladen-Wendessen AG" and the sugar factories in Baddeckenstedt and Othfresen merge to form the Nordharzer Zucker Aktiengesellschaft, one of the holding companies of Nordzucker AG.

Closures:

• Hornburg 1965
• Othfresen  1966

1962

In the Hannover area, Lehrter Zucker AG was formed from the sugar factories in Lehrte, Algermissen, Clauen, Peine, Osterlinde, Dinklar, Sehnde and Groß Munzel.

Closures:

•          Algermissen 1963
•          Osterlinde 1970
•          Peine 1983

1958

With the resolution passed by Braunschweiger Zucker-Aktiengesellschaft, Wierthe, the  shareholders of the sugar factories in the Braunschweig area took a vital step in the later creation of Nordzucker AG. The sugar factories choosing to join the new company were Eichthal, Broitzem, Vechelde and Wierthe. They were joined in the 1960s and 1970s by the sugar factories in Salzgitter Barum (1962), Groß Mahner (1971), Groß Lafferde (1972) and Bockenem (1977).

The merger led to the closure of the following factories:

•          Vechelde 1959
•          Broitzem 1960
•          Eichthal 1963
•          Groß Mahner 1973
•          Bockenem 1976
•          Groß Lafferde 1977

1957

The sugar factories in Fallersleben and Salzdahlum merged to form Fallersleben-Salzdahlum AG.

Closure: Salzdahlum

1956

Merger of the sugar factories in Schladen, Hornburg and Wendessen to form the Vereinigten Zuckerfabriken Hornburg-SchladenWendessen AG.

Closure: Wendessen 1956

1951

The establishment and construction of the northernmost sugar factory in Schleswig on the site of a former navy aerodrome.