Peter Hollaender

Amefa | Peter Hollaender

Website: www.amefa.com

Amefa

If you dine out, there is a very good chance you are eating with Amefa cutlery. For decades, Amefa has been the largest supplier of cutlery in the hospitality industry, worldwide - and not without reason. Amefa has been making cutlery since 1931 with an eye for detail and always focused on the present.

History

Eugen Hollaender is 23 years old when he moves from Germany to Apeldoorn in 1929. There he starts production of razor blades in a barn in 1931, always ready for use and razor sharp. The Apeldoornse Messenfabriek, abbreviated as Amefa, is born. In the early days, Hollaender travels throughout the country on his motorcycle mainly supplying barber shops and markets. 

After the war, competition from brands like Gillette and Philips is fierce. Hollaender decides to focus on the production of table knives and other cutlery. In 1948, the production of razor blades ceases completely. It proves to be the right move. By 1952, Amefa is doing so well that the first products are sold outside Europe.

In the years that followed, Amefa continually sought new techniques and improvements. Under the leadership of Rudi Hollaender, who took over from his father in the 1970s, Amefa grew into a hospitality powerhouse in cutlery and kitchen knives.

In 1981, Amefa was first to produce adapted cutlery for people with physical disabilities. This cutlery is currently part of the permanent collections of many museums worldwide, including the Centre Pompidou in Paris and the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

On December 2, 2011, a street was named after Eugen Hollaender in the Apeldoorn Amefa quarter (the original location of the Amefa factory) for his contribution as an entrepreneur in Apeldoorn and for his brave role during World War II.

Amefa now has branches in the Netherlands, Germany, France, the USA, the UK, Poland, and China. From these companies, Amefa exports products to more than 65 countries. The Amefa headquarters are still located in Apeldoorn to this day. There, an enthusiastic and driven team works on the development, marketing, and sale of products for the kitchen and the table.

Products and Markets

Amefa designs, produces, and delivers products for the kitchen and table. From cutlery to cast iron roasting pans and kitchen knives. The brands Amefa, Richardson Sheffield, Lou Laguiole, Cuisinox, and Sabatier Trompette are supplied to hospitality professionals, shops, and private consumers. In addition, related items such as crockery and glass are offered in some countries. The cutlery is largely self-designed, and production takes place worldwide. Amefa's customers are spread all over the world. The market share in the Netherlands is significant, but exports to the Middle East, Scandinavia, the USA, and Asia are playing an increasingly important role. The (international) online business is growing and continues to expand.

Who Are the Customers?

Amefa targets both the consumer and the professional user of cutlery and/or kitchen knives. Large users, hotels, professional caterers, hospitals, institutions, airlines, and cruise companies all know where to find Amefa. Consumers also know where to find Amefa through several large retail chains, marketplaces, and Amefa's own webshop: www.amefa.nl.

Future

Some years ago, Amefa began reducing the use of plastic in all its packaging, with the goal of no longer using plastic in the foreseeable future. The cash and carry packaging of Amefa was completely renewed in 2023 and has since been 100% plastic-free. In addition, Amefa has developed a unique recycling concept in collaboration with waste processor Van Gerrevink from Apeldoorn. Bulk users are offered the opportunity to take back cutlery, which is then recycled, and the raw materials can be used again.

The Amefa Organization

A total of 300 professionals work at Amefa, about 30 of them at the headquarters in Apeldoorn. The largest Amefa branch is in France. In 2005, the French cutlery and pan manufacturer Couzon/Cuisinox was taken over and has since been part of Amefa. In addition, Amefa has branches in the UK, China, Hong Kong, Germany, Poland, and the USA. The expansion to so many countries has come about through both organic growth and acquisitions.

Export countries: almost 70 countries worldwide, 40 of which are regularly supplied.