Milestones
A success story spanning 115 years
Max Elb applied to the patent office in Dresden on 23.04.1903 to have the name “Caramba” registered and founded Max Elb GmbH. Seven months later, the patent office confirmed the name and registered it. This laid the foundation for a successful 115-year success story.
1903
Max Elb applied to have the Caramba trademark patented
1922
Rütgerswerke AG obtains shares in Max Elb GmbH
1929
The German company Glühstoff GmbH, a subsidiary of Max Elb AG, launches “Caramba”. The multi-oil becomes a problem solver for the automotive industry
1948
Production of Caramba multi-oil starts in Duisburg
1949
Employees develop a proprietary aerosol system, patent registration
1952
The spray can conquers the market: Caramba is the first company in Germany to fill technical products in aerosol cans. Caramba graphite oil becomes the bestseller in the economic wonderland of Germany.
1965
Caramba is the first German company to develop a complete range of car care products. Thanks to its outstanding success, Caramba becomes synonymous with all multi-oils.
1976
The 50-millionth “Caramba Super” is produced
1987
Caramba develops high-tech chemical equipment such as PTFE, adhesive and lubricating greases. The 100 millionth aerosol can leaves the production line.
1998
Caramba multi-oils achieve an overall market share of over 40 percent (GfK)
2001
WIGO takes over the company Caramba. Effective immediately, Caramba operates as Caramba Chemie GmbH & Co. KG.
2003
Jubilee can “100 years of Caramba”
2004
Caramba officially becomes “brand of the century”
2007
Berner S.E. takes over the company. Caramba expands its B2B business. Takeover of TEGEE Bremen, which produces cleaning and care products for commercial consumers.
2008
The Caramba Group becomes international: Acquisition of Rumler Chemie (Netherlands) and the Christian Maurer Group (Austria, Romania, Hungary).
2009
Relaunch of the professional chemical-technical range. Launch of the new Caramba Profi-Line.
2011
With the acquisitions of Ambratec, Kent, Matecra and ACC, the group is further expanded.
2012
Introduction of the Caramba product worlds
2012
Renaming of Caramba Bremen GmbH
2013
Renaming of Caramba B. V. (formerly Rumler)
2014
111 years of Caramba
2016
Introduction of the dual spray head
2016
Four sites within CCG become the Caramba Business Area
2017
Market launch of the I-Line, the first full industrial product range for industrial parts cleaning
2018
Market launch of the X-Line