The roots: A passion for coffee
The Rothfos family’s coffee story begins at the garden café “Im grünen Thal” in St. Magnus near Bremen. Johann Dietrich Rothfos not only served coffee but also sold green beans that his customers roasted themselves at home—the beginning of a passion that continues to shape the CAFEA Group to this day.

From coffee to a green coffee trading business
Bernhard Rothfos expanded his father's business into an internationally networked green coffee trading company. Knowledge of origin, quality, and trade thus became a cornerstone of the future corporate group.

The DEK is formed
Deutsche Extrakt Kaffee was founded in 1955. Jan Beernd Rothfos became its first managing director. Production began as early as 1956 at the Reethedamm location in Hamburg; the distinctive oval can of instant coffee soon became one of DEK’s early trademarks.

Pioneer of freeze-drying
DEK became the first company in Germany to begin producing freeze-dried coffee. In this innovative process, concentrated coffee extract is deep-frozen and then gently dried in a vacuum. With this achievement, DEK set a technological milestone for the German coffee industry and laid the foundation for a expertise that continues to shape the CAFEA Group to this day.

The expansion begins
DEK is beginning its expansion with a new production facility in Berlin. The site is becoming a specialist in soluble coffees produced using a variety of manufacturing processes.

Growth and Automation
DEK relocates its production to its current location on Cafeastraße in Hamburg. In 1972, Northern Europe’s first fully automated high-bay warehouse goes into operation there—a clear sign of growth, efficiency, and technological progress.

Liquid coffee for new applications
AROMAT has established a division dedicated to the global distribution of liquid coffee concentrates. Today, this division is integrated into DEK’s sales structures and serves a wide range of applications in the food and hospitality industries.

The CAFEA Group is formed
In 1981, CAFEA was founded as a holding company to coordinate the production companies. EDEL in Liège, a specialist in freeze-dried coffee, joined the group. In 1982, the DEK locations in Hamburg and Berlin became wholly family-owned.

Sustainable Specialization
With WERTFORM, the CAFEA Group is expanding its expertise to include certified organic and Fairtrade coffees. As a result, sustainable sourcing quickly becomes a key focus area within the group.

New beverage categories
In 1992, the group expanded its product line to include instant cappuccino products. A year later, MILCAFEA in Rathenow joined the group—today a specialist in instant coffee and cocoa beverages in various packaging formats.

Internationalization in Sales
With CAFEA UK, the group now has its own sales company for the British market. This move strengthens the group’s international customer focus and lays the groundwork for further growth outside of Germany.

New skills in Poland and northern Germany
With GRANA in Poland and CREMILK in Kappeln, the group is expanding to include two specialists at once. GRANA specializes in plant-based instant beverages made from grains and chicory; CREMILK brings expertise in dairy and nutrition to the group.

Internationally connected—across the value chain
Today, the CAFEA Group brings together an international network of specialists in coffee and other hot beverages. With more than 1,500 employees, seven production facilities, and sales operations in over 70 countries, the group combines experience, specialized technologies, and a customer-focused approach throughout the entire value chain.