A pioneer, a generous and visionary man Rolf C. Hagen!
Since 1955
Since its founding, Hagen, Nutrience's parent company, has been on a mission to make the highest quality food products on the market. Nutrience formulations are made with locally sourced, cruelty-free and sustainably sourced ingredients. In addition to quality, our mission is to prioritize the environment in all aspects of our business, through the green buildings on the farms from which our ingredients are sourced. For more details on Nutrience's efforts towards a greener future.
Our products must be of truly exceptional quality in order for us to put our family name on them. We have to prove to our customers that we are worthy of their trust. After all, without her, our business would simply not exist.
The Hagen family
Born in 1932 in a small port town in northern Germany, Mr. Rolf C. Hagen was the third in a family of ten children. The spirit of ambition and adventure that first brought Rolf C. Hagen to Canada has led to a global manufacturing and distribution network. After more than 55 years, his perseverance and commitment remain the foundation of the Hagen company around the world.
In Bordeaux, France, he negotiated his trip on a small freighter where he worked in the kitchen during the journey; he then helped unload the freighter when it arrived in Nova Scotia. He had his sights set on the province of Quebec and barely two days after arriving in Montreal, he founded Rolf C. Hagen inc. Within months, Rolf found Canadian and American customers for the small European manufacturers he had worked with in Germany.
A successful start for his new company in this new country convinced Rolf that he had made the right choice.
Shortly after, he turned his full attention to the most important step of his life, that of persuading the beautiful young woman he had met in Hamburg to come and join him in Canada. In 1959 Rolf Hagen married Marianne Koch.
While setting up his import company in Montreal, Rolf developed a plan for growing specialty seeds for export to Germany.
He spent time in Western Canada, selling his innovative ideas to farmers in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario. They believed in this ambitious young man and signed contracts for many years, producing valuable capital to grow the business. During the same period, Rolf C. Hagen inc. introduced rapeseed and rich sunflower seeds which are still major crops in Canada.
Rolf C. Hagen inc. growing more every month, the young entrepreneur turned to the only source of help he knew he could count on: his brothers.
The arrival of Dieter in 1959, and of Horst in 1963, brought new energy which made the business grow. Dieter, a nice guy and an invaluable gift to customer service, was put to good use in sales. He worked tirelessly to build the company's excellent reputation, earning the trust of his customers throughout North America and around the world.
During this time, Horst, the youngest brother, used his impressive skills for the conduct of operations and purchases in addition to having carried out the implementation of manufacturing resources throughout Asia and Europe. Over the years, Horst has developed new pet products that have become staples of the global industry.
Pass the torch
In 2004, the company Rolf C. Hagen inc. being deeply established in the pet industry and having grown solidly into its worldwide sales and distribution networks, it was ready for the transition to the management of Rolf Hagen Jr. who was already heavily involved in the management of the company, including serving as senior manager of international trade and global expansion among other management positions.
With the torch successfully passed to the next Hagen generation, which also includes Rolf Jr.'s brothers, Tom, VP Administration, and Mark, VP Nutrition and Manufacturing, the company is dedicated to carry on the legacy, values and commitment conveyed by the remarkable success of Rolf, Dieter and Horst.
Under the leadership of Rolf Hagen Jr., the company has charted a clear course that emphasizes constant product innovation and diversity, improved customer initiatives, and finally, comprehensive educational programs and a service concerned with the well-being of pets.
Steeped in an enduring family tradition of genuine love and respect for pets, the Hagen Company is continually dedicated to earning the trust and loyalty of pet owners around the world by providing reliable, convenient and good for the health of our favorite companions.
