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1881
The brothers Carl August and Hermann Ludwig Wollenhaupt,
born in Melsungen / Hessen to the master dyer Martin
Wollenhaupt, found a tea trading company in Hamburg
at the ages of 22 and 23 respectively. The actual expertise
lies in the hands of Carl August, who has already completed
an apprenticeship as a Hamburg tea merchant.
1895 - 1920
1895 sees the death of Carl August; his brother then takes over the management of the company with the help of the third brother Valentin, the company's accountant general. The young company imports its tea almost exclusively from China. The first deliveries of the new crop arrive in July and August, and since few people want to buy tea from the old crop in the preceding months, the company begins trading in vanilla in order to spread the workload of its staff more evenly - a momentous decision for the future of the company!
In 1906, the company celebrates its 25th anniversary.
As tea and vanilla imports become restricted or impossible during the First World War, the company turns to tea substitues and other commodities.
The "20s"
In 1920, Hermann´s son Paul Otto (born 1892) joins the company as a junior partner. 1922 sees the death of Hermann Ludwig Wollenhaupt. His son Paul steers the company through difficult times marked by inflation and global economic crisis. The traded commodities are now loose tea, packaged tea, nutmeg (!) and vanilla. The specially created SINGHALA label is a typical example of an attempt to establish a consumer-oriented brand product.
1930 - 1945
In 1931, the company's 50th anniversary is celebrated in a spirit of cautious optimism. Although business develops, Germany struggles with major currency problems around 1937 which impose restrictions on the tea and vanilla trade.
1939 sees the outbreak of the 2nd World War. Various links are severed and the main commodities can no longer be imported. In 1941, a new "national tea distribution" system is introduced.
During Paul´s time as an officer in the Russian campaign, the business is run by his brother-in-law Otto Fink. Paul returns home safely from the war, and even the business premises at the Klostertor have survived the bombing raids on Hamburg intact.
1950 - 1970
From October 1950, a representative of the 3rd generation, Paul´s son Ulrich, becomes accountant general.
In March 1956, the company celebrates its 75th anniversary.
Paul Wollenhaupt dies just a few months later. His son Ulrich is faced with the task of planning the future, which brings changes on the personnel front.
Important decisions in several business areas pave the way for further growth. On a wider level, the company pushes ahead with the development and maintenance of a modern range of tea and vanilla products.
Foreign business is expanded on both product levels. Domestic sales also receive a strong boost, with highly qualified travelling salesmen responsible for cultivating contacts with retailers.
1966 marks a difficult decision: due to structural alterations to the premises, the company is forced to leave its long-standing headquarters near Hamburg's general post office. After considering various options, it opts for Reinbek near Hamburg, even though this means moving away from the city centre and focus of the tea trade. Once again, this shows the company's courage and readiness to take risks. This enforced measure later proves a blessing in disguise, however, by allowing a major step forward in the company's development.
 1970 - 1990
Foreign contacts increase and exports to the USA, Holland, Scandinavia and Eastern and Central Europe are expanded.
In the 70s, the tea market experiences a boom as flavourings are introduced to the classic, orthodox black tea. This heralds a new kind of social and consumer culture, particularly among young people. Wollenhaupt can claim a major role in driving and promoting the resulting expansion of the market and the development of new consumer groups. By 1981, Wollenhaupt can look back on a 100-year history.
Intensive market analysis and marketing activities in the early 80s pave the way for the expansion of the herb and fruit tea range.
In 1983, the company again begins to outgrow its premises as its storage and machine capacity increases. In 1984, it moves into new premises. New technology continues to modernise the storage, blending and packaging departments.
In 1986/87, with the 4th generation, the name Wollenhaupt Bros. once again becomes an accurate description as Jörg and Dirk Wollenhaupt (sons of Ulrich and Marianne) join the company.
Ulrich Wollenhaupt dies on 22 April 1989.
1990 onwards
The activities of the following years focus increasingly on the development of the fruit and herb tea market, the consolidation and expansion of contacts with individual tea dealers and wholesalers and the continued expansion of export relations.
In response to current market demands, ecotrophology begins to play a more comprehensive role along with trend research and observation , as demonstrated by the addition of creative new tea varieties to the existing range.
The international reputation now enjoyed by Wollenhaupt, its global connections and innovative corporate philosophy form the basis for an efficient partnership with its customers on the markets of today and tomorrow.
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