The company Richd. Bouncken - founded on 12th April 1883 in Hamburg. The ancestors of the family were originating from the Norhtfrisian Islands. They were whalers, captains and shipowners dealing at their own risk from North Cape to the Mediterranian countries. The founder Richard Bouncken started business as merchant and manufacturer's agent in Hamburg, Hermannstr. 34. He travelled several times to the Far East dealing in German, Austrian and English goods. In the years from 1889 to 1914 our firm was one the principal suppliers of Ceresinwax to Java for the Batik Industry. Our main business lines were Textiles, Perfumery, Paper, Tools and general exports in close connection with well-known manufacturers in Germany, Great Britain, The Netherlands and Switzerland. Trade with Japan developed favorably after 1902 in Paper, Woollen Textiles and Machinery. Import trade in Wax, Agar Agar, Peppermint Oil increased too. A Shanghai Branch had to be closed in 1921 caused by political circumstances in China. Richard Bouncken’s sons: Eduard G: Bouncken, partner from 1910 to 1959 and Richard H. Bouncken, partner from 1921 to 1964 have frequently travelled to East Asia via USA, Suez and Siberia - the usual routes before beginning of air traffic. In 1890 the office moved in Hamburg from Hermannstr. 34 to premises of our own at Esplanade 4 and in 1935 we changed to our office building at Esplanade 45. Since 1962 we have our office located in our own building in the city of Hamburg 11, Hopfensack 20 near the free port. During the second World War we kept our business by exporting, importing and wholesale hometrade in essential oils and pharmaceuticals. After the war we have resumed business as exporters, importers and transit traders with Japan, China, Hong Kong, Thailand, The Philippines, Malaysia, Australia, USA and the Middle East. Since 1954 Eduard G. Bouncken and his son Rickert Bouncken visited the Far East and South East Asia freguently. Rickert Bouncken started working in the company 1942 becoming junior partner in 1948. From 1964 Rickert Bouncken was the owner of the company followed by his son Folkert Bouncken in 1998, who started working in the company in 1980 as junior partner after training in other trading companies and the Far East. Additionally to the more traditional business lines in exports of machinery and industrial goods and imports of Essential Oils and Pharmaceuticals the company sucessfully started business with products of the fast growing industries for consumer goods in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan becoming a reliable and competent partner for reselling customers in the advertising and premium gifts business in Germany and the European Common Market. Establishing and strenthening long-standing business connections with our friends to mutual benefit is a business principal of our company as well as to become a competent and loyal trading partner for new customers and suppliers.