Company History

The Edwin Lorenz Company was founded by former owner Edwin Maximilian Lorenz. The year 1959 is considered as the date on which the Edwin Lorenz Company was established, as unfortunately, all records regarding the exact date of the founding were lost during the war years. The entry in the trade register was made by Mr. Harry Knospe on the 28th of November, 1961.

The company was initially founded as an agency for preserved fruit and vegetables. During the course of time, further product groups were added, such as frozen goods, dried fruits, kernels, juices, pulps and concentrates, that predominantly come from Europe, with emphasis on Spain, as well as South America (Peru, Chile, Honduras, Mexico), India and Sri Lanka. Edwin Lorenz gives advice and supports import and wholesale trade organizations with the procurement of goods.

On the 31st of March, 1953, Harry Knospe receives the Apprenticeship Certificate of the Chamber of Commerce and Trade after serving apprenticeships in the companies Adolf Wessendorf and the Gegro Purchasing Syndicate of General Wholesalers. Both companies are based in Hamburg. Harry Knospe enters into the management of Edwin Lorenz in 1959.
The banking accounts have been held at the Deutsche Bank, Adophsplatz, Hamburg, since 1959.
The founder of the Edwin Lorenz Company dies on the 19th of July, 1967 in Hamburg. At this time, the company was still located in Hennig-Wulf-Weg 8. The company name is retained, as even back then, the name Edwin Lorenz already enjoyed a good reputation. Following the death of Frau Erna Lorenz, the company is converted into a sole proprietorship, with Harry Knospe as its owner.
In 1972, Edwin Lorenz relocates from its old premises to Norderstedt, Hogenfelde 28.
1987 - Mr. Oliver Knospe starts his apprenticeship in foregn traide on 01.08.87.
As early as 1990, initial quantities of canned conventional asparagus from Peru was traded with the Soconsa Company, after Edwin Lorenz had successfully completed pioneer work for Peruvian asparagus in Europe. This included many trips to Peru, in order to convey to the local producers, what qualities European customers expect. During this period, the office in Lima was established, which still works for us today.
In 1991, as the first company in Northern Germany, Edwin Lorenz adopts ISDN as a telephone standard. A report of this is recorded in the Hamburger Morgenpost newspaper of February, 1991.

In 1997, trade begins with organically certified food. An EU bio certification from the BCS in Nuremberg and certification as to the International Food Standard and Logistics from the years 2000 and 2008 exist respectively.
Edwin Lorenz has had an internet website since April 1998, making the company the first in the trade to use this medium.
In 2000, Edwin Lorenz, in cooperation with Target Agriculture and a German organic tea producer, developed new, organic tea blends, which were an immediate success on the German market.
Edwin Lorenz enters into a cooperation with Handels-Extra Net in 2001. A report of this was printed in issue 28/2001 of the Biopress.
The Edwin Lorenz Company is converted into a GmbH & Co KG on the 1st of January, 2003. Oliver Knospe, the son of Harry Knospe, then becomes an associated partner of Edwin Lorenz, the company in which he began as an apprentice in 1988.
Edwin Lorenz is organically certified via the BCS in Nuremberg since January 1st, 2005.
On March 27th, 2007, Edwin Lorenz receives the acknowledgement of Bio-Suisse for trade with Bio-Suisse compliant raw materials (mango/pineapple products) from Honduras. (Certificate)
After passing his exams in May 2007, Oliver Knospe receives the certificate as a quality representative from TÜV Nord.
In 2008, Edwin Lorenz sells the first quantities of organically certified produce in the USA.
In the same year, for the first time Edwin Lorenz is certified according to the International Food Standard and Logistics by TÜV Nord.
On 01.03.2010, the company moves to new offices in the blue "Nordport Tower" close to the Hamburg Airport. Report in The Clipper

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