Welcome to European Freeze Dry

Mountain House is launched in tins with a 25 year shelf life.

Skibby sees significant inward investment to enhance its processing capability and production environment, making this plant a European leader in its field.

The Preston site invests in the capability to prepare and cook freeze dried meals, and OFD's Mountain House brand is subsequently launched in Europe to wide acclaim.

The Lille Karleby site sees a significant investment in its finished product packaging capability.

CFD and DFD formally join forces under a single management team and develop a new identity as European Freeze Dry. 

Oregon Freeze Dry and Dansk Landbrugs Grovvarselskab (DLG) reach an agreement to purchase Dansk Frysetørring from East Asiatic, and Danish Freeze Dry ApS is formed.  As a part of this process, OFD also sells 50% of the equity of Commercial Freeze Dry to DLG.  The UK and Danish businesses (CFD and DFD) become sister companies with common owners.

Oregon Freeze Dry takes 100% ownership of CFD.

Oregon Freeze Dry (OFD) purchase a 50% share in the UK business, leading to the creation of Commercial Freeze Dry Ltd (CFD).  Following ICI restructuring, the remaining 50% of the shares are held by Zeneca Biological Products.  This four year JV was designed to help OFD to establish a presence in Europe and to explore the possibilities within the speciality chemical and biological product areas.

UK capacity expands further with the purchase of a large scale batch freeze dryer specifically designed for food ingredients.

The Lille Karleby site in Denmark expands capacity from 4 to 6 freeze dryers.

Commercial Freeze Drying Co. is purchased by chemical manufacturing giant ICI, which sees synergies with its Biological Products business.  The company relocates from an old mill building in Clitheroe to a new industrial park on the outskirts of Preston.  At the same time, freeze drying capacity is expanded with the installation of a freeze dryer designed for biological materials.

Danish Operations expand with the purchase and development of the Skibby site, located approximately 10km from Lille Karleby

Further expansion of Lille Karleby capacity with the addition of a fourth freeze drying cabinet.

East Asiatic Company purchases 100% equity in the Danish company.

Dansk Frysetørring A/S starts the production of freeze dried shrimps, a product for which we still retain an excellent reputation.

Expansion of Lille Karleby capacity with the addition of further freeze drying cabinets.

Commercial Freeze Drying Co. Ltd. is founded in Clitheroe, Lancashire by a local entrepreneur David Hannam who had an active interest in the freeze drying process.  The company's first products were freeze dried strawberries and the freeze drying of liver for pet treats.

Dansk Frysetørring A/S is founded in Lille Karleby.  The company was initially formed as a joint venture between a local freeze dryer manufacturer Atlas Industries and the Danish East Asiatic Company.