History

1920

Michael and Margarethe Adler with their family from Viernheim take over the former Hugel inn and the butchery in Lindenstraße in Bonndorf.

1935

The son Hans Adler and his wife Liesel take over the butchery and inn. The range of sausage products is increased.

1955

In the 50s the mail order business with Black Forest smoked products commences.

1959

1959 is the birth year of Black Forest ham: ADLER starts selling its most famous product, created by using a recipe that’s well over a 100 years old. Salting, curing and smoking was used to preserve meat when home slaughtering was still common practice. The traditional procedure not only prolongs the ham’s shelf life, it also adds to its typical rich aroma.

1963

Adler inn is closed. The abattoir and meat cutting plant is erected on the present-day company premises.

1964

Founding of Hans Adler OHG Schwarzwälder Fleischwaren. The son Peter Adler becomes co-partner and systematically promotes the production of smoked products.

1967

The logo with the “ADLER”-rhombus becomes a trademark symbol.

1972

The manufacture of Burehäxle (knuckle of pork) and Schäufele (shoulder of pork) commences.

1974

Hans Adler leaves the company upon reaching retirement age (+ 1976) and the son Hansjörg joins the family-owned company as a partner.

1975

The first portion of sliced Black Forest ham in Germany leaves the production line in self-service packaging.

1975

An air-matured ham, with the name “Alemannian ham”, is added to the product range.

1985

ADLER acquires Kinzigtäler Fleischwaren GmbH, Haslach and Schwarzwaldrauch GmbH, Achern, which subsequently is renamed to Schwarzwaldfleisch GmbH.

1993

Filligrano – the thinly sliced and mild smoked bacon is launched.

1994

The specialisation on ham products is further promoted by building up a pure ham business in Achern and by founding Schinkenhof GmbH & Co. KG.

1997

In 1997 the European Union registered “Black Forest ham” as a “protected geographical indication”, for the protection and appreciation of agricultural foods of a special character and foods with protected designation of origin.

1998

Under the “quick cuisine” (convenience foods) trade name, sliced pork sausage was introduced to the market. A variation of this is the Strasbourg sausage salad with cheese.

2000

Landjäger (spicy smoked sausage), the spicy sausage snack in an angular shape, was the first product to be launched on the market in self-service packaging.

2003

The Hans Adler OHG and Schinkenhof GmbH & Co. KG have been certified in accordance with the International Food Standard.

2004

Schäufele, extra lean cooked shoulder of ham, is a genuine ready-to-eat treat and can be served both hot and cold. Cut into slices, Schäufele (shoulder of pork) is the ideal keep-fresh pack for small  households.

2005

The “quick cuisine” brand is supplemented by other variations containing regional specialities – such as the Swabian and Bavarian sausage salad.

2006

Novelties are: the coffee-time snack in the pack of two: Twins – Schwarzwürstle,
Leberwürstle and Bauernbratwürstle (black sausage, liver sausage and farmer’s fried sausage) as well as the Black Forest Schäufele (shoulder of pork), served in a practical tray. In this innovative packaging, the Schäufele (shoulder of pork) can easily and simply be prepared in the microwave oven or in a water bath.

2010

For the high-quality ADLER specialities and gifts Black Forest meat introduced the SchwarzwaldArt brand name.

2011

Invention of a sustainable new packing: ADLER 2FachFrisch. Two separate compartments provide fresh ham for a longer period of time while reducing foil wastage at the same time.

2012

Dr. Hansjörg Adler leaves the company; Peter Adler’s daughter Marie-Louise joins the company as shareholder.

2015

In 2015, Adler’s sister company Schinkenhof starts exporting high-quality Black Forest Schinken into the United States after receiving the official FDA approval. Schinkenhof is wholly owned by the Adler family.