Chronology

… are historically named for the first time in 1166. In 1909, the facilities are expanded with the help of steam engines to become the most modern mill in the Lower Rhine region. In 1953, the production of breadcrumbs begins in the former wheat mill under the name BRATA. Behind the old walls of the Erprath Mills is now one of the most modern plants for the production of breadcrumbs and breadings. It is precisely this combination of old and new that is seen by BRATA and all its employees as a symbol of reliable stability in a time of change.

For all its progressiveness and all the latest developments, the company holds fast to the values that have characterised the business policy of the family business since the beginning of breadcrumb production under the name BRATA in 1953. For all family members and employees, uncompromising quality thinking, attention to detail, care in production and respect for established customer relationships apply. This is the company’s code of honour. The old Erprath Mills in the Erft valley are a symbol of this continuity of values. This is where the headquarters of the still young company are located. Expansion and further development are part of this way of thinking.

The first fully automated production line was built at BRATA in 1968. This was followed by investments up to the present day, such as an automatic mixing plant. A technical centre for customer trials of the highest quality was built in 2000 and has been continuously expanded since then.

The baking line plant 2 heralds the last decade of the last millennium. With the commissioning of the second production line in 1992, BRATA is able to more than double production volumes. The baking line is computer-controlled. There, the breadcrumbs are produced fully automatically. From the delivery of the flour in the silo truck to the ready-packed pallet, all modern production requirements are met in a single building.

Shortly before the turn of the millennium, the call for more storage space becomes louder. Production increases steadily, the demand for breadcrumbs grows. This leads to renewed building measures on the BRATA site in Neuss. In 1998, the new hall is inaugurated. It offers space for several thousand pallets.

The new construction of production hall A3 is another step into the future. In March 2006, the building permit is granted and shortly afterwards the ground-breaking ceremony for the new hall takes place. With the expansion of its production facilities, BRATA is responding to the call of the market, which is asking for breaded products. In order to meet the increasing demand and to maintain national and international competitiveness, BRATA has decided to make these investments in a growing market.

In 2007, BRATA puts plant 3 into operation. Freshly baked – and already almost breadcrumbs: The baking oven used in the production plant is designed for continuous baking with a length of about 50 metres. This ensures that only the freshly made bread is processed into breadcrumbs. Crispy baked and immediately crumbled – this is BRATA’s philosophy for supplying fresh breadings.

A new mixing plant sets standards at BRATA. A gentle mixing process forms the framework here. As a partner of our international customers, we refine different ingredients in a gentle way. Our mixing technology is adapted to the respective product. This ensures that the raw materials are ideally suited to each other.

The new baking oven is already a high performer with its commissioning in 2015. With innovative technology into the future: The production plant is now state-of-the-art. The continuous oven creates all the conditions for the production of both proven and new breadcrumbs and breadings.

The fully automated packaging and palletising system sets the course for further development. In one process, the freshly produced breadcrumbs are filled, packed and palletised ready for dispatch. This ensures that the goods reach the customer quickly and safely in bags.

The new production facility meets the need of the globalised market for increasing demand. Accordingly, BRATA has invested in innovative technologies for the new production line with new sales markets in view near the Dutch border. At the location in the Nettetal district of Breyell near the 61 motorway, a highly visible plant with all logistical possibilities for the future-oriented production of different breadcrumbs and breadings has been built.