Milestones
115 years of success story
On April 23, 1903, Max Elb applied for the name “Caramba” at the patent office in Dresden and founded Max Elb GmbH. Seven months later, the patent office confirmed the name and registered it. This laid the foundation for a success story that has now lasted for 115 years
1903
Max Elb registers the Caramba trademark for patent
1922
Rütgerswerke AG obtain shares in the Max Elb GmbH
1929
The German Glühstoff GmbH, a subsidiary of Max Elb AG, launches “Caramba” on the market. The multi-oil becomes a problem solver for the automotive world
1948
Beginning of production of the Caramba multi-oil in Duisburg
1949
Employees develop a proprietary aerosol system, patent registration
1952
The spray that can conquer the market: Caramba is the first company in Germany to fill technical products in aerosol cans. Caramba graphite oil becomes the bestseller in Germany, the country of the economic miracle
1965
Caramba is the first German company to develop a complete car care range. Due 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 operating fluids such as PTFE, adhesive and lubricating greases. The 100 millionth aerosol can leave the assembly line
1998
The Caramba multi-oils reach a total market share of 40 percent (Association for Consumer Research / GfK)
2001
WIGO takes over the Caramba company. With immediate effect Caramba operates under the name of Caramba Chemie GmbH & Co. KG.
2003
Anniversary can “100 years Caramba”
2004
Caramba officially becomes the “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 chemical-technical professional product range. Start of the new Caramba professional line
2011
The group expands further with the acquisitions of Ambratec, Kent, Matecra and ACC
2012
Introduction of the Caramba Product Categories
2012
Change of name of Caramba Bremen GmbH
2013
Change of name of Caramba B. V. (formerly Rumler)
2014
111 years Caramba
2016
Introduction of the dual spray head
2016
Within CCG, four locations become the Caramba business unit
2017
Market launch of the I-Line, a first industrial full range for the industrial parts cleaning
2018
X-Line launch
2020
Launch of the new Consumer Line