History

A more than 260 years long tradition of one family and one business. On 18 April 1743, Jacob Hinrich Hudtwalcker (1710 – 1781) founded his own Company in Hamburg, Germany. The Company started as a trading house for Cod Liver Oils, Herring and Fish Oils, a tradition we continue to honour.

Johann Michael Hudtwalcker (1747 – 1818) carefully expanded the business to also include other commodities. His son, Jacob Heinrich Hudtwalcker (1799 – 1837), continued running the Company. When he died, his brother Carl Hudtwalcker (1782 – 1854) stepped in. Jacob Heinrich and Carl were the 3rd generation to run the family business.

In 1855, Heinrich Hudtwalcker became joint owner of the Company. He added Vegetable Oils to the other oil products the Company offered and traded. As the Company got more engaged in international business activities, Heinrich Carl Hudtwalcker (1880 – 1952) became the new director and was also the 5th generation running the family Company. It was during this period that the Company established its office in Norway for closer access to the Norwegian fisheries and the raw materials. On November 1, 1905, Hudtwalcker & Co. AS was formally established as a Norwegian company in Oslo.

Carl Heinrich Hudtwalcker (1912 – 1991) was the 6th generation. He concentrated the Company’s international activities from the Oslo office. During his years the Company expanded its portfolio by serving clients all over the world.

John Michael Hudtwalcker (1954) is the 7th generation running the Company. Please see article Through The Ages for further details.