What once began with 32 potato farmers sitting around a kitchen table has now, half a century later, become a global concern. From its foundation in 1962, 'Aardappel Verwerkende Industrie Keppel en Omstreken' ('Potato Processing Industry Keppel and Environs', or Aviko) has proved to be a down-to-earth and ambitious organisation with just one aim: creating value from potatoes.

1962 - 1999

It all began in an old dairy factory in Hoog Keppel. This then led to the production of chilled chips in wooden crates, quickly followed by the first frozen products. A relocation to Steenderen followed in 1967, where an old stone factory offered more space for Aviko's ambition. Aviko wanted to look beyond the borders, particularly for the development of new potato products.

In the early 1970s, for example, Aviko was one of the first companies outside Switzerland to produce Rösti. Fruitful decades followed during which Aviko strengthened its position within Europe, with the German and French markets leading the way. The Berlin wall fell and Aviko quickly manifested itself as the market leader in Eastern Europe, partly due to the construction of a factory in Poland. In the 1990s, the first expansion outside Europe was sought and Aviko gained a firm foothold on other continents. From then on, Aviko became a global player, getting high quality potato products on the table in more and more countries. We are quietly proud of this development, but in our hearts we are still just potato farmers from Keppel.

2000 - present

In the 21st century, the emphasis is mainly on expanding the potato range with high quality potato products and other specialities. Aviko has joined forces with Eurofrits, which provides a nice addition in the appetiser range. A significant growth in Aviko's mashed potato and potato gratin products has also been achieved through the acquisition of the Belgian Eurofreez.

In 2014, Aviko acquired a majority stake in the Bavarian family-run business Amberger in Oberdolling, Germany. This acquisition has also provided Aviko with a broader range of potato specialities and strengthened and improved its service to the German and Austrian Foodservice markets.