Moving Markets, Shaping the Future
What began in 1946 with courage, initiative, and the trading of scarce goods such as grain, writing paper, and steel mesh has grown into the globally connected CREMER Group of today. Over the past eight decades, CREMER has entered new markets, developed new areas of business, and continuously evolved, shaped by people who recognize opportunities, take responsibility, and find new ways forward together.
Our story is about entrepreneurial vision, strong partnerships, and personal relationships that have grown across generations and continents. It reflects where we come from, what continues to define us, and why we look to the future with confidence.
Join us on a journey through eight decades of CREMER: from our beginnings in Hanover to our activities around the world today.
1946
Starting from Scratch
In a partially destroyed building in Hanover, 34-year-old Peter Cremer starts trading in grain. With courage, pragmatism, and a keen sense for opportunity, he lays the foundation for the international group of companies we are today.
1954
Hamburg Becomes Our New Home
CREMER relocates to the Hanseatic city. The Port of Hamburg provides ideal conditions for international trade.
1956
From Trading to Production
CREMER begins producing its own compound feed, expanding its business model early on and taking on additional stages of the value chain.
1961
The First Step into Asia
Peter Cremer turns his attention eastward. The first trading activities and production facilities are established in Thailand, followed by additional locations in Indonesia and the Philippines.
1966
Entering Food Production
Peter Cremer and Werner Fischbach establish the Lübecker Maismühle. It later develops into Nordgetreide, today a major producer of cereals and grain-based foods.
1969
Our Own Ships, Our Own Course
Faced with limited transport capacity, Peter Cremer establishes his own shipping company. At times, CREMER operates a fleet of up to 40 owned and chartered vessels. He names one of them “Leony” after his eldest granddaughter.
Employees are entrepreneurs within the company.
Peter Cremer establishes the company during a time of scarcity. With an entrepreneurial spirit, perseverance, and vision, he transforms a small grain trading business
into an international company that remains family-owned today, now in its third generation.
1973
CREMER Expands in South America
CREMER establishes its own company in Brazil. From Campinas, CREMER continues to expand its activities in South America’s largest country, initially with agricultural products and later also with steel and oleochemicals.
1981
The Next Generation Takes Over
At the age of 29, Stefan Cremer takes over the management of the company from his father. He brings fresh perspectives and begins to diversify the business.
1992
Expanding into Steel Trading
With the establishment of CREMER STEEL, the company expands into a new line of business. Today, CREMER STEEL trades steel products in international markets.
1993
The Second Generation Grows Stronger
Thomas Cremer, the youngest son of the company’s founder and brother of Stefan Cremer, joined the family business. Since 2009, he has served on the Advisory Board and remains closely connected to CREMER as a representative of the owning family.
Too much control is the death of creativity.
Stefan Cremer takes over the company in 1981 at just 29 years old and continues to develop it with a clear vision. He expands into new countries, industries, and business models, making diversity one of CREMER’s strengths.
In doing so, he puts his trust in employees with an entrepreneurial mindset and gives them the freedom to bring their own ideas to life.
1999
Off to Cincinnati
Off to Cincinnati Peter Cremer North America and acquires a tank terminal on the Ohio River. What begins as a small team develops into a major site for production, packaging, storage, and logistics.
2003
Stronger Together in Animal Nutrition
CREMER acquires deuka. Together with the CREMER feed mills, deuka Tiernahrung Cremer, today Germany’s largest privately owned compound feed manufacturer, emerged over the following years.
2005
New Strength in China and Oleochemicals
CREMER opens an office in Shanghai. At the same time, various activities are brought together under the umbrella of CREMER OLEO.
2009
First External Managing Director
With Ullrich Wegner, CREMER appoints its first CFO from outside the founding family. Initially, he leads the company together with Stefan Cremer and assumes the role of CEO in 2016.
2012
Minerals and Ores Expand the Portfolio
CREMER gradually acquires Possehl Erzkontor, adding mineral raw materials and ores as another international trading business. Today, these activities are consolidated under CREMER ERZKONTOR.
No stranger to Hamburg, at home in the world.
From a trading company, CREMER has grown into a globally connected group of companies. Today, around 2,700 employees work for CREMER and its affiliated companies on every continent.
2016
A Defining Farewell
Stefan Cremer, who led the company for 35 years, passes away at the age of 64. Ullrich Wegner initially takes over as sole managing director before Thiemo Heinzen joins as CFO in 2017. The family remains closely connected to the company and continues to play an active role in shaping its development.
2020
The Way We Eat is Changing
CREMER expands its portfolio of plant-based foods with CREMER Sustainable Foods. New investments and production expertise create new offerings in alternative proteins and modern nutrition.
In Dialogue With the World.
Ullrich Wegner shaped CREMER for many years as CEO. Under his leadership, the Group continued to grow, expanded into new business areas, and strengthened collaboration across its international companies.
Personal exchange with political and business leaders, as well as business partners, also played an important role. On two occasions, Ullrich Wegner accompanied German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier as a member of a business delegation.
2021
A Hub for Latin America
CREMER OLEO opens a new Latin American headquarters in Bogotá. Production, trading, and logistics activities across the region are coordinated from Colombia.
2023
Biodiesel from Paraguay
In Villeta, one of Paraguay’s most important industrial regions near the capital city of Asunción, CREMER OLEO commissions a new biodiesel plant. The facility processes locally sourced soybean oil into biodiesel. Crude glycerin is produced as a by-product.
2025
A Change at the Top
After many years as CEO, Ullrich Wegner retires. Christian Flach takes over the leadership of CREMER and, together with CFO Thiemo Heinzen, forms the Executive Management team.
2026
CREMER turns 80
Eight decades after its founding, CREMER is more international and diverse than ever. At the same time, we remain true to our roots: thinking entrepreneurially, taking a long-term approach, and empowering people to take responsibility.
CREMER Has Everything a Successful Company Needs for the Future.
Since fall 2025, Christian Flach has been leading CREMER as CEO. He sees the company’s particular strength in the combination of diversity, corporate culture, and enthusiasm.
He sees growth opportunities primarily in food, contract manufacturing, and the further expansion of CREMER’s international activities. Above all, the people who shape CREMER every day remain key.
In the interview, Christian Flach talks about his first months with the company, CREMER’s unique culture, and his vision for the future of the Group.