FAMILY HISTORY

1896

HOW IT ALL STARTED

The story of Anton Dürbeck GmbH began during the Austro-Hungarian monarchy. In 1896 Martin and Katharina founded the "Martin Dürbeck Fruchthandel”. The business developed quickly and, thanks to healthy structures and commitment of its owners, it survived several political changes in the following years.

FROM 1913

WORLD ECONOMIC CRISIS, WAR & DISPLACMENT

Until 1913 the company experienced a healthy and steady growth. After that, in a time shaped by the First and Second World War and the Great Depression, it was all about survival. By that time, “Martin Dürbeck Fruchthandel” had already developed into a respectable fruit import company. In 1945, however, the family was expelled from the newly founded Czech Republic, and had to leave the country within 24 hours with only two bags. Once in Germany, Anton, Martin’s son, restarted the family business in Wetzlar establishing the Anton Dürbeck fruit trade company.

FROM 1954

STROKE OF FATE & NEW START

After the sudden death of Anton Dürbeck in 1954, his son Karl, who had just completed his degree course in economics, took over the family business. The circumstances were difficult: Karl took over a company with debts of 2,000 DM, a fortune in those days. Due to the general economic upswing of the 1950s and Karl’s entrepreneurial spirit, the company grew steadily. The initial business contacts to the Netherlands and Italy were extended to other countries from Africa and South America where Chile would play a special role for Karl years later.

FROM 1976

EXPANSION OF THE COMPANY & OWN FRUIT PRODUCTION IN CHILE

The cooperation with Carl Gottmann’s B.V. began in 1976 –being the fiscal representative for customs clearance for overseas goods imported into the Netherlands at that time. Today, Carl Gottmann’s B.V. specializes in subtropical fruits and has developed into a close cooperation partner over the years. Thanks to this fruitful synergy, we were able to extend not only our range of products, but also our customer base.

After the company had been successfully established as an apple importer from Chile, it was only a little step for Anton Dürbeck GmbH to become a producer itself. In the mid-1980s, the Exportadora Frutasol Chile S.A. was founded in Curicó, Chile growing apples, cherries, kiwis, pears and walnuts on more than 550 hectares of land. This was the first step into the firm’s vertical business integration. Over the following years, Karl was increasingly involved in Frutasol, where he successfully and passionately managed the business until he passed away at the age of 85.

FROM 1988

START OF IMPORTING BANANAS 

After his graduation and some professional experience in international banking, Mathias Dürbeck joined the company in 1988. Since the 1990s he has contributed significantly to the import of bananas from Ecuador establishing the "Excelban" and later the “Dolce & Banana” brand in various European and North African markets. Through the affiliated Otisgraf S.A. the firm imports over 2 Million boxes of bananas from its own production per year. Otisgraf S.A. manages 11 farms on over 700 hectares; the majority of which are certified according to Rainforest Alliance standards.

FROM 2018

NEW TIMES

The brothers Carlo and Marco Dürbeck, the fifth Dürbeck generation, join the family company in 2018. After completing his degree course in economic studies in London, Carlo has worked in investment banking for several years and will now be responsible for the trading and import activities at Anton Dürbeck GmbH. Marco, who received his master’s degree in agricultural management in Chile, is focusing on the management and distribution of the family-owned fruit production companies in South America.

A team of international professionals guarantee the continuation of the family business and the successful implementation of the company’s strategy: A successful future through independence, flexibility and self-reliance based on a solid economic foundation and decades of experience.