EVERY BRAND HAS A STORY
EVERY STORY HAS A BEGINING
In 1820 French government asked Nicholas Appert to appoint a somebody to build and manage Army cannery in Bordeaux to supply French NAVY.
Charles D. RÖDEL settled in Bordeaux as the chosen man for job, but very soon comes with better Idea.
Insted of build up military cannery Charles established his own factory directly in NAVY building.
In 1824 Rödel & Fils Freres the first cannery in Bordeaux was born and destined for greatness.
A Brand Carried Across Oceans and beyond
Rödel's canned goods soon became famous thanks to NAVY captains and officers who bought Rödel sardines and sold them abroad at great profit.
These unofficial distributors also encouraged Charles to focus only on luxury canned goods, especially sardines, which were in high demand abroad.
Very soon Rodel was shipping his sardines to Shanghai, Hanoi and Tokyo. His customers included Lord Moutenbatten, 1st Count of Burma and India, Brazilian Emperor Pedro II. and all famous names of European society.
Rodel sardines were served on gourmet tables, at state dinners and at grand banquets all over the world.
When Charles died, his widow Victoire-Laurence, became the first woman in business management and continued the industrial activity.
GOLDEN
AGE
When Victoria Lavrence passed away in 1870, her grandsons—Armand Rödel, Philippe Rödel, and their cousin Albert—took over the factory.
Four additional factories were established in France: Etel, Concarneau, Saint-Yrieix, Port-Marie
Production expanded: sardines in Brittany, meat and vegetables in Bordeaux.
They acquired the English company Crasse & Blackwell as well as all shares of the firm Dandicolle & Gaudin. At its peak, the company employed 1,500 workers.
This was the golden era of the enterprise.
The Rodel brand became so renowned that the family decided to create its own shops and distribution network in Asia and South America under the name Maison Rodel. Their portfolio included caviar, spices, rum from Martinique, oysters, and other French delicacies. However, their hallmark remained their exceptional sardines and preserved seafood.
The family business was severely affected by the economic crisis of 1934–1937.
World War II not only halted all exports, but the family was persecuted by the Nazis due to their heritage. Henry Rodel was arrested by the Gestapo in Toulouse on February 24, 1944, deported to Germany, and was shot on April 15, 1945, during the evacuation of the Floha camp. After the war, and following four generations of leadership, the family lost control of the company.
Yet the brand endured. The recipes remained, as did the rules and regulations governing production. Through strict adherence to the entire process, the Rodel Quality Standards have been preserved to this day.
3. RÖDEL Family LEGACY
The Last Man Standing
JACQUES RÔDEL (1885–1968)
Jacques Rôdel was born in Bordeaux on June 8, 1885.
In 1922, was appointed managing director.
He helped establish the first professional health insurance funds.
Under his leadership, several institutions were founded:
The Beterette Professional Rehabilitation Center for tuberculosis patients in Gelos
The Herauritz Functional Rehabilitation Center for children with disabilities
The “Les Lauriers” Convalescent Home for the CPAM in Lormont
When “Rôdel Fils et Frères” brand was sold to Mr. Bigeon, owner of a mushroom cannery in Bordeaux-Bastide. Jacques Rôdel was retained by Mr. Bigeon to manage the Rôdel division.
Jacques Rôdel died in Paris on December 14, 1968, from a heart attack.
For his social contributions, Jacques Rôdel was awardedan officer of the Legion of Honor.
SIX members of Rodel family were awarded by LEGION of HONOR for their social contribution
RÖDEL is not just a name but INSTITUTION and LEGACY for next owners of the brand
THE TRUE STORY OF FOOD PRESERVATION WAR
Nicholas Appert
For his first preservation N.Appert used Glass jar
The first Tinplate can created by Bryan DONKIN
First Sardines cans looks familiar but you needed knife and hammer to open it.
1795 FRANCE.
Nicholas APPERT invented new preservation method
1805 Nicholas APPERT recieved Award of 12.000 Francs from French Goverment for his invention
1809 Nicholas Appert published a book - The Art of Preserving Animal and Vegetable Substances
1810 The oldest known can of sardines in France was manufactured by Joseph Colin in his kitchen.
1811 Frenchmen Philippe de Girard sold Appert’s patent for preservation food to Englishman Peter Durand
1812 FRANCE. Nicholas Appert opened the first commercial cannery, the House of Appert, at Massy near Paris.
1812 Charles Desire Rodel start to work in Appert laboratory and cannery to learn a new profession.
1812 – Peter DURAND was granted a patent by King George III to preserve food using tinplated cans
1812 Peter Durand sold patent to Bryan DONKIN and John HALL
1813 UK. The first canning factory of Donkin, Hall & Gamble Company opens using Appert’s method and Durand’s tinplated cans. The company was after many changes bought by Rödel holding in 1926 and closed.
1820 FRANCE, the government appointed Charles Desire RÖDEL to create a canning factory in Bordeaux to feed the French navy: the factory would be installed in the Building of the Navy at 37 rue du Jardin Public
1824 FRANCE – Charles Desire Rödel founded RÖDEL & Fils Freres The First cannery in BORDEAUX with address at 37 rue du Jardin Public
1824 FRANCE, NANTEX, Joseph – Pierre COLIN opening Colin Cannererie in NANTES
26 konzerváren
In 1850, there were 25 fish canneries in France , producing 3 million cans
In 1876, there were 150 canneries, producing 56 million cans per year
In 1879, France produced 82 million cans.
In 1954, there were 234 fish canneries in France
Today, we have 16 fish canneries in France whose brands are well-known, guaranteeing the expertise of the pioneers.