The history of Hortex goes back to the 40s of the twentieth century. Within the space of decades, the company has reached the symbol status in its branch. Today, the “HORTEX” brand can be easily recognized and associated to the company and its products, both in Poland and abroad.

Important Dates
Still before the definitive end of war, in 1944 the Garden Cooperatives Economic Central Office of the Republic of Poland was set up which in 1949 was transformed into the Garden Cooperatives Central Office (CSO).

Due to the dynamic development of the agriculture and fruit-farming in post-war Poland, export of the farm production used to increase. In accordance with the practice commonly used in those times, the “HORTEX” Foreign Trade Enterprise was established in 1958 within CSO.

The name of the Company derives from Latin hortus, or garden. That year, the logo and the name of Hortex were registered in the Patent Office for the fist time.

In 1965, the first tunnel freezer for the production of frozen vegetables and fruits in Poland started in a newly established production plant in Góra Kalwaria.

In the 70s, Hortex became one of the main suppliers of the agricultural and food products in this part of Europe. 

In the mid-80s, Hortex became a world leading producer of the concentrated fruit juice, in particular apple juice. 
 
In 1989, Hortex Sp. z o. o. (limited liability company) was set up on the grounds of the taken property of the processing plants, Foreign Trade Enterprise (PHZ) and the Garden and Apiarian Cooperatives Central Office, which five years later was taken over by three banks: Bank Gospodarki Żywnościowej SA, Bank Handlowy w Warszawie SA, and Wielkopolski Bank Kredytowy SA.
 
In 1997, the Company started to operate as Hortex Holding Spółka Akcyjna (Joint Stock Company) and some movements in its shareholder structure took place. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development as well as the Bank of America became its new shareholders who initiated transformations in the company’s operation giving stable grounds for the company’s development and assuring its profitability.

Nowadays

The beginning of the XXI century was a period for the radical reconstruction of Hortex. Nowadays, Hortex Holding SA is the private joint stock company with the major part of the shareholder structure taken by the funds related to the Bank of America. Since May 2003, the funds have held more than 93% of the company’s shares. The other shares are held by nearly 600 minor shareholders whose representative takes one place in the 5-member Supervisory Board.

The Company’s business is focused on two main areas: production of juices and drinks and production of frozen fruits and vegetables; the third important field of operation is the production of concentrated fruit juices. In order to improve the effectiveness, the production has been focused in 3 specialized modern processing plants (located in Ryki, Skierniewice, and Przysucha near Radom).
 
The Company employs app. 1,250 workers plus 150 additional seasonal workers engaged in the buying up and fruit and vegetable processing periods (July to December).
 
The consistent delivery of the strategy the Company once adopted as well as the effectiveness of activities carried out still make Hortex one of the strongest brands on the Polish market.