1934

Apple juice in the Scullery

In 1934 Inger Rasmussen attends a one-day course to learn how to make apple juice from the surplus of apples in her garden that she is unable to make use of in her household. She imagines that she is going to make juice for her family but, when her neighbours in Rynkeby get to taste her juice, things really get off to a flying start: The neighbours deliver their apples to Inger, who charges a fee for making apple juice for them. During the first autumn she produces an incredible 5,000 bottles in the family's scullery, using only simple household utensils.

The juice factory

The cottage industry in the scullery booms and in 1935 Inger has a small juice factory built next door to the family home in Rynkeby. Here she produces 12,000 bottles in a year. To meet the demand, she uses special tools produced at her husband's machine workshop. Vingaarden in Odense supplies a variety of used bottles and her son buys an old bottle capping machine for 5 Danish Kroner. The cottage industry starts to look like a small enterprise. Two years later annual production reaches 60,000 litres.

1938

Copenhagen loves apple juice t00

In 1938 Count Julius Wedell is host to a hunting party. His guests include Crown Prince Frederik. The count wants to serve apple juice, which he orders from Inger.

After the hunt, some bottles of apple juice end up at Wedell's favourite wine shop. The vintner is inquisitive as he isn't acquainted with this drink. He travels to Rynkeby to meet Inger and becomes her first retail customer in Denmark's capital city, Copenhagen. The initial order is for 10 boxes. The next order comes later that same month and then things develop very fast: People in Copenhagen love Inger's apple juice too!

1953

Keep it in the familiy

In 1953 Inger's daughter, Dagmar Andreassen, takes over the company and she is no less full of good ideas than her mother was. She is quick to launch several new projects, including the production of blackcurrant juice, which becomes Rynkeby's largest source of income throughout the 1950s. She exports juice to Sweden, Germany and the UK. Meanwhile, blackcurrants pave the way for important sales to caterers and institutions.

1963

The yellow submarine

Rynkeby grows rapidly both physically and financially throughout the 1960s. Dagmar continually extends facilities to increase capacity. From 1962 to 1967, revenue increases on average by just over 1 million Danish Kroner each year. And Rynkeby makes an impression on the Danish people – and on the Danish press. During a single month, there are not less than six major illustrated newspaper articles and public interest in Dagmar increases when she buys a yellow submarine and uses it in a marketing event "Rynkeby Juice pops up everywhere". Indeed it does: Today Rynkeby has a 55-60% share of the Danish market, thanks to creative thinking which continues to be characteristic of the company's product development and marketing campaigns.

1972

Contract with De Forende Bryggerier (United Danish Breweries)

Dagmar has her work cut out. In 1968 she is elected to the Danish Parliament and continues to run Rynkeby. She contacts De forenede Bryggerier (DfB, United Danish Breweries) to ask if they are interested in acquiring the company. Two gentlemen arrive on her doorstep in 1972. After a long meeting, they reach an agreement: Dagmar retains production and DfB becomes responsible for distribution and marketing. Dagmar remains owner of the company right up until 1988, when she sells it to Carlsberg.

1998

Rynkeby joins MD Foods

Rynkeby merges with Ripella in 1993 and the name is changed to Rynkeby Foods A/S. The tiny juice factory which saw the light of day in 1934 has become Denmark's largest producer of juice and cordials. MD Foods (later Arla) and Carlsberg each own a 50% share until 1998, when MD Foods acquires the brewery's share.

2001

Rynke the monkey

Rynkeby joins MD Foods and the company gains further momentum. In 2002 Rynkeby enters into partnership with the Swedish juice company, JO Bolaget. Sales figures soar in both Denmark and Sweden. At this time Rynkeby launches a new advertising campaign which becomes extremely popular with the Danes – thanks not least to Rynke the monkey who plays a star role.

2013

Rynkeby remains true to its origins

Rynkeby has been owned by Arla (then MD Foods) since 1998. Today the company is the largest manufacturer of juice and cordials in the Nordic region. Rynkeby has a 55-60% share of the Danish market. However, even though the company has grown, it has remained true to its origins: We still make excellent juice and cordials from natural ingredients. The vast majority of our production still takes place on the Danish island of Funen, just 30 kilometres from the tiny scullery in Rynkeby where it all started.

2016

Eckes-Granini is new owner of Rynkeby Foods

Rynkeby is sold to the family-owned company Eckes-Granini Group in Germany.Rynkeby still produces everything in Denmark and have focus on delivering quality products to the national market.