Avebe starts out as “Coöperatief Aardappelmeel Verkoop Bureau.” Much has changed over the last century, but one thing remains the same: the potato. In 1919, we start representing several independent cooperatives.
1930 is a tough year. The potato starch industry suffers. An unusually productive harvest leads to a saturated global market and a general economic slump hurts workers and their families. With the help of a government loan, Avebe pulls through.
In 1948, the affiliated factories introduce new products: starch derivatives. In 1954, the joint potato starch factories establish KARNA (Cultivation Institute for Potato Varieties for the benefit of the Dutch Potato Starch Industry). The goal? Cultivate varieties with a high yield that are also disease resistant.
In 1971, the factories and sales office merge. Thanks to the takeover of KSH (Koninklijke Scholten Honig) in 1978, Avebe increases its share of the potato starch market and gains control over premium derivatives, new markets, and the associated sales organisation.
Thanks to a restructuring effort – in which all the Avebe stakeholders contribute – Avebe roars into greater success. The cooperation faces its challenges, but we look back at these years of progress and innovation with pride.
We focus our efforts on three things: the potato, cost price, and targeted innovation.
The laser focus pays off in 2007, with a breakthrough in the extraction of protein from potatoes. What was first only reserved for animal feed is now usable for human nutrition in a product we call Solanic. Our first Solanic protein factory opens in Gasselternijveen.
The European subsidies decouple and the industry has to deal without its funding. Avebe is successful in doing so and closes out that year with a positive cooperative result of more than 11 million euros.
Avebe opens a new location: The Innovation Center in Groningen. This is where we share and combine forces internally and with local knowledge institutes like universities.
After a century of getting the most one can get out of the potato, we receive the Royal Warrant and can proudly call ourselves Royal Avebe. We fully embrace our position and success and eagerly share it with the world.
