Tradition for more than 175 years
Five generations of the Rickmers family have been active in the world of shipping for the past 175 years. Rickmer Clasen Rickmers laid the foundations for the business in 1834 when he founded a shipyard in Bremerhaven in northern Germany. In addition to shipping, the trained shipbuilder also became active in the rice trade. Under the management of the second generation of the Rickmers family, by 1890 the Rickmers rice mill had become one of the largest rice-processing plants in Europe. Entering the steamship industry, the Asian markets and providing regular services were aspects that have shaped business up to the present day.
Members of the fifth generation of the Rickmers family are now continuing the shipping tradition with independently established shipowning businesses and companies concerned with other aspects of shipping.
Erck Rickmers founded Nordcapital as the "Gesellschaft für Immobilien- und Schiffsbeteiligungen" in 1992. E.R. Schiffahrt commenced operations in 1998. Since 2008, E.R. Capital Holding has been the sole shareholder of these both and further companies.
First Generation
Rickmer Clasen Rickmers (1807-1886)
R.C. Rickmers is born on Heligoland and completes his training there in wooden shipbuilding. Following his apprenticeship, he goes to sea in order to gain practical experience on board a ship.
Second Generation
Peter Rickmers (1838-1902)
Peter Rickmers is born in Bremerhaven in 1838. After attending the polytechnic college in Hanover, he begins work in the family business, taking on numerous activities. Among other things, he is a representative of the newly founded Geestemünde Chamber of Commerce and travels widely on business on behalf of the company.
Third Generation
Paul Henry Rickmers (1873-1946)
Paul Rickmers is born in Bremerhaven in 1873. After training in business, he starts work at the Rickmers shipyard. His initial tasks include the supervision of the first construction abroad of iron ships.
Fourth Generation
Bertram Rickmers (1917-1971)
Following the death of their father, the three sons take over management of the family-run business. While Bertram Rickmers re-establishes the shipyard, his brother Peter Rickmers initially concerns himself with duties at Rickmers-Linie in Hamburg, supported by Claus Rickmers.
Fifth Generation
Erck Rickmers (* 1964)
Members of the fifth generation of the Rickmers family are now continuing the shipping tradition with independently established shipowning businesses and companies concerned with other aspects of shipping.
In 1992, Erck Rickmers founds Nordcapital as the "Gesellschaft für Immobilien- und Schiffsbeteiligungen". E.R. Schiffahrt begins operations in 1998. Since 2008, E.R. Capital Holding has been the sole shareholder of these both and further companies.