Dr. Oetker Stories
Like a family! Dr. Oetker in Oerlinghausen turns 50
The tranquil town of Oerlinghausen, just outside Bielefeld, is home to our smallest production site in Germany – and has been for five decades. In 2024, we are celebrating this anniversary with the workforce. We will be looking back, but also forward…
5.9.2024 • History
In 2024, we will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of our production site in Oerlinghausen! The plant mainly produces muesli and baking mixes. Come with us on a journey through the last 50 years.
Oerlinghausen was long characterized by the textile industry. Domestic weaving mills were famous for their high-quality products until the 19th century. In 1850, the Bielefeld textile trading company Carl Weber & Co. settled here and laid the foundations for the first industrial linen production in 1904. Many people in the region earned their living here. Carl Weber & Co. shaped the economic life of the town for over 120 years but was not immune to the great textile crisis of the 1960s and 1970s. The company filed for bankruptcy in 1973.
New products boost sales at Dr. Oetker
At Dr. Oetker, on the other hand, the figures developed extremely positively in the early 1970s. In addition to frozen pizzas (1970) and fresh desserts (1972), the baking mixes introduced in 1971 were a particular hit with consumers. The sales increased 1974 by 108 percent. At that time, production took place exclusively in Bielefeld-Brackwede. The problem: The capacities were no longer sufficient.
Dr. Oetker advertisement from 1971 for white wine cream. At that time, production took place exclusively in Bielefeld-Brackwede.
A quick solution was found in the former weaving mill in Oerlinghausen. When it took over the location in 1974, Dr. Oetker had 16,000 square meters of the 56,000 square meter site immediately adapted to the needs of food production.
The Dr. Oetker site in Oerlinghausen in 1974.
Conversion from a weaving mill to food production.
60 new jobs in Oerlinghausen
In the year 1976 Dr. Oetker created 60 new jobs in Oerlinghausen. In addition, there were another 40 employees who had previously worked in Bielefeld.
In addition to baking mixes for cakes and pies (see pictures), alcoholic desserts, shelf stable yeast and bread mixes also rolled off the production line.
Over the years, the plant has developed positively in line with the overall development of the company. The local population accepted the location, the cooperation has been harmonious, and the town hall was happy that life had returned to the old weaving mill.
In 1979, the then plant manager Rolf Weber said in an interview: „ Former plant manager at Dr. Oetker Oerlinghausen in 1979 “
Rudolf August Oetker (left) and Dr. h. c. August Oetker visited the Oerlinghausen plant in 1982...
...and took a look at the production line for the top-selling red wine cream, among other things.
Dr. Oetker becomes a muesli producer
As early as 1986, Dr. h. c. August Oetker opened the new Oerlinghausen-II production facility, where employees then also produced muesli bars in addition to muesli mixes. The technical standards of these systems were unique in Europe at the time and the plant developed into a competence center for the production of muesli and cereals. From 1996, Dr. Oetker produced all the crunchy ingredients for the Knusper muesli itself in Oerlinghausen-II. The dependence on externally produced ingredients was further reduced in 1998 when an extruder was put into operation.
In 1984 Dr. Oetker started ist own muesli production.
Production in 1986.
Product packaging from 1987. In addition to muesli mixes, Dr. Oetker also produced muesli bars in Oerlinghausen at that time.
Euro-Plant Oerlinghausen
Richard Oetker inaugurated the next major plant expansion in 1998: Dr. Oetker invested in a further 8,000 square meters of space to create more space for muesli production. Two eye-catching 20 meter high silos had already been put into operation. A new high-bay warehouse then followed in 2000. The international significance of the plant network was particularly emphasized by the new name "Euro-Plant Oerlinghausen".
Installation of new machines for cereal production in 1997.
Construction of the new silos in 1997.
The plant today
Today, 220 employees work in Oerlinghausen. The ratio of the products produced is 55 percent mueslis and 45 percent baking mixes. Four lines for mueslis and five lines for baking mixes supply international markets, including countries as far away as South Korea.
New products, such as mueslis with less sugar or vegan baking mixes, also taste good to the modern and conscious palate.
Like a family
The cohesion in the workforce is great. Many employees have been working side by side for decades and are a well-rehearsed team. There is a family atmosphere. Here – on the edge of the Teutoburg Forest – the employees proudly call themselves "Oerlians".
A party for the employees
To mark the anniversary, there was an internal party for the employees and their families on August 31, 2024. In addition to an entertainment program for children, the physical well-being was also taken care of. The relatives also had the opportunity to take a close look at the production facilities. With this celebration, the Dr. Oetker company thanks the people who have made the site so successful through their tireless efforts for 50 years now.
For more information please contact:
Claus-Carsten Andresen
Media Spokesperson History & Archive