Our History
Our roots go back to 1911 – founded in China, grown in Hamburg. With FINCH we write
the history of DOHR GmbH continues – focused and familiar.
Experience, trust and passion –
that is our foundation.
Over a century of experience with natural casings – from Hankou (China) to Hamburg.
The story of FINCH Foodstuff Hamburg GmbH begins with the more than 100-year tradition of DOHR GmbH, one of Germany's oldest trading companies for natural casings.
In 1911, Gustav Dohr founded the company in Hankou, China – with a clear focus on the international trade of casings. At that time, he owned 7 sorting facilities for hog casings, spread across China. By the late 1930s, the company's headquarters moved to Danzig, before a new beginning in Hamburg took place in 1950: Kurt Köhnke and Wilhelm Schulz rebuilt DOHR, establishing the company as a Hanseatic specialist for hog casings, sheep casings, and by-products.
In 1981, leadership passed to the next generation: Dietrich Köhnke and Joachim Otte led DOHR into the future with foresight and consistency. In 1998, DOHR also became the majority shareholder in Ramsay, another renowned supplier of textile casings.
The new production facility in Gehrde (2006) and the modern warehouse in Hamburg (2010) laid the foundation for further growth. This was followed in 2013 by the founding of VIVA Casing GmbH – a joint venture for dried hog casings and sheep casings with an international focus.
Meanwhile, Ramsay was sold to the Kalle-Nalo Group, and VIVA was fully integrated into DOHR.
FINCH – The New Force in the Natural Casing Market
On January 1, 2021, FINCH Foodstuff Hamburg GmbH was founded – by Volker Otte and Cärsten Otte, together with long-standing employees from the DOHR Group and financial partner TOWA Ltd.
FINCH emerged from DOHR GmbH but operates as an independent company, focusing clearly on hog casings and sheep casings. The close connection to DOHR GmbH remains: while DOHR continues to manage brands like VIVA and remains active in other product categories, FINCH positions itself as your reliable partner for natural casings in Hamburg – with focus, precision, and passion.
FINCH stands for quality, transparency, and customer proximity – a new chapter in a storied history.
Sincerely,
Volker and Cärsten Otte
