Hengstenberg
Hengstenberg GmbH & Co. KG is a 140+ year-old German food manufacturer producing preserved gherkins, sauerkraut, red cabbage, vinegars, kimchi, and ready-to-eat salads under brands like KNAX, Mildessa, and Altmeister, serving German retail consumers, Food Service operators, and international markets.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1876
- HeadquartersEsslingen, Germany
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Hengstenberg does
Hengstenberg GmbH & Co. KG is a privately held German food manufacturer founded in 1876 and headquartered in Esslingen, Baden-Württemberg, structured as a Kommanditgesellschaft with general partner Hengstenberg Geschäftsführungs-GmbH. The company produces preserved foods under multiple sub-brands: KNAX for pickled gherkins, Mildessa for sauerkraut and red cabbage, Altmeister for vinegars, STiCKSi for cucumber quarters, and a Kimchi line. It also holds exclusive German distribution rights for the Italian tomato brands ORO di Parma and Pomito. Production is concentrated at two plants — Bad Friedrichshall for cucumbers and Fritzlar for white and red cabbage — both fed by 100% German regional contract farming within a maximum of 20 km of the facilities, enabling field-to-glass processing of cucumbers within approximately one day of harvest.
The underlying production technology is rooted in traditional German food preservation: gentle pasteurization of gherkins to maintain crunch and nutrients without artificial preservatives, lactic acid fermentation for sauerkraut and red cabbage, and natural vinegar fermentation using acetic acid bacteria with approximately 0.2% residual alcohol. Hengstenberg's commercial organization spans consumer packaged goods retail through major German supermarket chains Rewe and Edeka (including online via Rewe Lieferservice and Edeka24), a dedicated Food Service division supplying bulk-format SKUs (2L-10L containers) to restaurants, hotels, canteens, and catering operators, and three direct factory outlet stores at the Esslingen, Bad Friedrichshall, and Fritzlar sites. International reach is supported by dedicated websites for Spain (hengstenberg.es) and general international markets (hengstenberg.com).
Revenue is generated through one-time product sales across all channels; pricing is not publicly disclosed. Marketing combines a substantial recipe database, monthly newsletter, social media presence (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube), promotional campaigns (cashback offers, prize competitions), and influencer/celebrity collaborations such as the BossHoss partnership for the Streetfood Mix campaign. A leadership transition was announced for July 2026, with Sebastian Neubert assuming overarching coordination following the departure of Geschäftsführer Aymeric de La Fouchardière.
Hengstenberg firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Hengstenberg
- Legal name
- Hengstenberg GmbH & Co. KG
- Website
- https://hengstenberg.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1876
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Hengstenberg GmbH & Co. KG is a 140+ year-old German food manufacturer producing preserved gherkins, sauerkraut, red cabbage, vinegars, kimchi, and ready-to-eat salads under brands like KNAX, Mildessa, and Altmeister, serving German retail consumers, Food Service operators, and international markets.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Hengstenberg industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Preserved Foods
- NAICS
- Fruit and Vegetable Canning, Pickling, and Drying (31142), Fruit and Vegetable Preserving and Specialty Food Manufacturing (3114)
- SIC
- Canned, Frozen & Preservd Fruit, Veg & Food Specialties (2030), Canned, Fruits, Veg, Preserves, Jams & Jellies (2033)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Pickled & Fermented Foods Manufacturing (AFAKACAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Fermented & Pickled Fruit & Vegetable Products (Pickles, Kimchi, Sauerkraut) (AFAKAFAF), Vinegar & Pickling Solutions Manufacturing (AFAKADAG), Canned & Jarred Fruit & Vegetable Processing (Canning, Bottling) (AFAKAFAH)
Keywords
Where Hengstenberg is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Esslingen
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Hengstenberg business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Consumer Packaged Goods - Retail: Hengstenberg generates revenue through the sale of branded preserved foods (pickles, sauerkraut, red cabbage, vinegars, kimchi, ready-to-eat salads) to consumers through retail grocery chains in Germany and internationally
- Food Service / B2B: The Hengstenberg Food Service division supplies large-format products to restaurants, canteens, hotels, and other out-of-home catering businesses
- Factory Outlet Sales: Direct sales of products at factory outlet stores located at production sites in Esslingen, Bad Friedrichshall, and Fritzlar
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Consumer retail products available through major German supermarket chains |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Hengstenberg product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Hengstenberg manufactures and markets traditional German preserved foods — pickles and gherkins (KNAX, STiCKSi), sauerkraut and red cabbage (Mildessa), vinegars and vinaigrettes (Altmeister), kimchi, and ready-to-eat salads (Salate To Go) — produced via gentle pasteurization, lactic acid fermentation, and natural vinegar fermentation using 100% German-grown cucumbers and cabbage sourced from regional contract farmers. Products reach consumers through major German supermarket chains, the company's Food Service division, and factory outlet stores.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Mildessa: Sub-brand for sauerkraut and red cabbage products
- KNAX
- Altmeister
- ORO di Parma
- Pomito
- STiCKSi
Products and services
- KNAX Pickled Gherkins Crunchy pickled gherkins made from 100% German-grown cucumbers harvested and jarred within approximately one day, processed with gentle pasteurization and no artificial preservatives. Targeted at German retail consumers and the Hengstenberg Food Service division.
- Mildessa Sauerkraut Premium sauerkraut produced through traditional lactic acid fermentation of 100% German-grown white cabbage sourced from regional contract farming. Targeted at German households and foodservice kitchens for side dishes and traditional recipes.
- Mildessa Red Cabbage Preserved red cabbage produced from 100% German-grown red cabbage sourced from contract farmers in Hesse, offered in retail and foodservice formats as a traditional German side dish.
- Altmeister Vinegars and Vinaigrettes Classic and herbal vinegars produced via natural fermentation of alcohol-containing liquids using acetic acid bacteria, with approximately 0.2% residual alcohol. Sold to retail consumers and foodservice buyers for dressings, pickling, and cooking.
- BIO Altmeister Organic Vinegar Organic-certified vinegar carrying the DE-ÖKO-003 certification under EU organic standards, targeted at consumers seeking certified organic ingredients for cooking and dressings.
- Kimchi (pikant & scharf) Spicy Korean-style fermented cabbage (kimchi) variants launched in 2024 as part of the Kraut mal anders line, targeted at retail consumers seeking international and fusion flavors.
- STiCKSi Cucumber Quarters Pickled cucumber quarter products within Hengstenberg's gherkin range, designed for snacking and finger-food use cases by retail consumers.
- Salate To Go (Couscous & Bulgur Salads) Ready-to-eat vegan salads (couscous and bulgur variants) launched in 2024, designed for on-the-go consumption straight from the pouch, in bowls, or in wraps. Targeted at convenience-oriented retail consumers seeking light, plant-based meals.
- Streetfood-Toppings & Feinkost Streetfood toppings and delicatessen products positioned for modern German street-food and snacking occasions, including the Streetfood Mix line promoted with The BossHoss.
- Hengstenberg Food Service Division B2B division supplying large-format preserved foods to the out-of-home market — restaurants, canteens, hotels, and catering companies — in bulk packaging from 2L to 10L containers and 720ml to 10.2L jars for professional kitchen use.
- ORO di Parma Tomato Products Italian tomato products from the Parma region distributed exclusively in Germany by Hengstenberg under the ORO di Parma brand, targeted at foodservice kitchens and retail consumers preparing Italian cuisine.
- Pomito Tomato Products Italian tomato products made from 100% fresh Italian tomatoes since 1982, distributed in Germany by Hengstenberg under the Pomito brand, free from colorings and preservatives, for sauces, pizza, and pasta preparation.
- Factory Outlet Stores (Werksverkauf) Direct factory outlet stores located at Hengstenberg's production sites in Esslingen, Bad Friedrichshall, and Fritzlar, offering a rotating selection of Hengstenberg products at outlet prices to visiting consumers.
Quantifiable outcome
- Products preserved without artificial preservatives through gentle pasteurization
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Hengstenberg
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Hengstenberg technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Hengstenberg partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- German Contract FarmerscoreLong-term partnerships with German contract farmers for sourcing cucumbers and cabbage. Farmers grow crops from company-provided seed lists within 20km of production facilities. Core to Hengstenberg's 'Field to Glass' quality promise.
- ORO di ParmacoreExclusive distribution partnership for ORO di Parma tomato products in Germany. ORO di Parma is the #1 tomato brand, producing tomato products from Italian Parma region.
- PomitocoreDistribution partnership for Pomito tomato products. Pomito has produced tomato products from 100% fresh Italian tomatoes since 1982, free from colorings and preservatives.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Hengstenberg competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Develey Senf & Feinkost: Develey is a German family-owned manufacturer of mustard, sauerkraut, and pickled/preserved specialties, directly competing in the German sauerkraut, red cabbage, and pickles shelf alongside Mildessa and KNAX. Similar Mittelstand heritage, German-sourced ingredient story, and retail concentration.
- Maille: Maille is a heritage French brand specializing in vinegars, mustards, and pickled cornichons, directly comparable to Hengstenberg's Altmeister vinegar line and pickle products. Comparable premium positioning, similar brand-heritage narrative, and overlapping premium retail distribution.
- Spreewaldhof: Spreewaldhof is a German cooperative specializing in Spreewald gherkins and pickled vegetables, competing directly with Hengstenberg's KNAX gherkin range in German retail and Food Service. Comparable category focus, similar regional/regionality positioning, and similar supply-chain reliance on contracted German growers.
- Mutti (Conserve Italia): Mutti is Italy's leading tomato products brand, paralleling Hengstenberg's exclusive German distribution of ORO di Parma and Pomito. Comparable premium Italian provenance positioning, food-service traction, and similar role as a regional category leader whose brand Hengstenberg leverages in Germany.
- Gundelsheimer Sauerkraut: Gundelsheimer is a German sauerkraut specialist (Gundelsheim/Kunzler Group) competing head-to-head with Hengstenberg's Mildessa sauerkraut and red cabbage products. Closely comparable on production technology, German-sourcing story, and Mittelstand scale.
- Carl Kühne: Carl Kühne is Germany's largest pickles and sauerkraut manufacturer, directly competing with Hengstenberg across gherkins, sauerkraut, red cabbage, and vinegar categories in German retail. Operates a similar multi-brand strategy and is the most direct head-to-head comparable on shelf and in Food Service.
Broad incumbents
- Bonduelle: Bonduelle is a major European incumbent in canned, frozen, and fresh prepared vegetables, broadly competing with Hengstenberg's pickled/preserved vegetable range. Overlaps in sauerkraut, red cabbage, and pickles categories but operates across a much wider portfolio and multiple geographies including Germany.
- Dr. Oetker: Dr. Oetker is a German family-owned broad food manufacturer whose Ristorante and frozen/preserved ranges overlap with Hengstenberg's Food Service preserved vegetable offerings. Comparable Mittelstand heritage and German retail presence, though wider portfolio and less specialized in pickled vegetables.
- Kraft Heinz: Kraft Heinz is a global CPG incumbent with broad presence in pickles, condiments, and sauces including the Heinz vinegar line. While not specialized in German fermented cabbage, it competes broadly for shelf space and Food Service accounts where Hengstenberg sells its vinegars and preserved vegetables.
Others
- Rewe Group / Edeka Private Label: Rewe and Edeka are Hengstenberg's two largest retail customers and also operate their own private-label preserved vegetable lines that directly compete on shelf with Hengstenberg's branded products. Relevant as both key distribution channel and adjacent competitive threat rather than a product peer.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks2 records
Customer concentration
Hengstenberg social profiles
Digital presenceHengstenberg financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Hengstenberg leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Hengstenberg funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Hengstenberg M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Hengstenberg
What does Hengstenberg do?
Hengstenberg manufactures and markets traditional German preserved foods — pickles and gherkins (KNAX, STiCKSi), sauerkraut and red cabbage (Mildessa), vinegars and vinaigrettes (Altmeister), kimchi, and ready-to-eat salads (Salate To Go) — produced via gentle pasteurization, lactic acid fermentation, and natural vinegar fermentation using 100% German-grown cucumbers and cabbage sourced from regional contract farmers. Products reach consumers through major German supermarket chains, the company's Food Service division, and factory outlet stores.
Is Hengstenberg a public or private company?
Hengstenberg is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Hengstenberg founded?
Hengstenberg was founded in 1876. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Hengstenberg based?
Hengstenberg is headquartered in Esslingen, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Hengstenberg make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Consumer Packaged Goods - Retail is the primary driver. The others are food Service / B2B and factory Outlet Sales.
Who are Hengstenberg's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Develey Senf & Feinkost, Maille, Spreewaldhof, Mutti (Conserve Italia), Gundelsheimer Sauerkraut and Carl Kühne. Broad incumbents are Bonduelle, Dr. Oetker and Kraft Heinz. Rewe Group / Edeka Private Label is listed as an others.
Does Hengstenberg have an API?
No public API is recorded for Hengstenberg.
What industry is Hengstenberg in?
Hengstenberg's product category is Preserved Foods. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAKACAI, Pickled & Fermented Foods Manufacturing, with a secondary code of AFAKAFAF, Fermented & Pickled Fruit & Vegetable Products (Pickles, Kimchi, Sauerkraut). Its NAICS code is 31142 and its SIC code is 2030.