The origins of a love of meat – from the Black Forest to South America
The love of meat is deeply rooted in the history of the Fritz family, a legacy that dates back to 1930 when Hermann and Paula Fritz, Mario's great-grandparents, took over a small village butcher shop. This passion has been passed down from generation to generation. In 1965 Marios' grandparents, Heide and Alois, expanded the family business to include a restaurant and hotel and introduced cattle trading into the business portfolio for the first time. 1979 Another milestone was the founding of Fritz Vieh- und Fleischhandel GmbH, whereby the previous business areas were abandoned in order to focus entirely on meat and livestock trading.
With the year 1992 a new era dawned when Gerhard Fritz, Mario's uncle, took over the business and discontinued the live cattle trade to specialize in the trade of fresh and frozen beef. This decision bore fruit, and 1999 the company opened a branch office in Pulheim. In the years that followed, Fritz continuously expanded his product range in order to be able to respond better to food crises such as the BSE crisis, and expanded his activities to the international market.
In April 2010 Mario Fritz joined his uncle's company and began his dual studies at the same time. He quickly took on significant responsibility in various areas of the business. His deep passion for meat and keen sense for commercial transactions became particularly apparent during this time. Under his uncle's guidance, Mario quickly gained comprehensive knowledge of meat products and the industry. This expertise led to him being appointed 2014was appointed managing director of Fritz Vieh- und Fleischhandel GmbH just one year after completing his studies. Shortly thereafter, when Gerhard Fritz took over the management of another company, he transferred all responsibility for FRITZ to Mario.
Meat is our passion. Enjoyment is our mission.
Interview with Mario Fritz
Geschäftsführender Gesellschafter der Fritz Vieh- und Fleischhandel GmbH
Mario, a lot has changed since you joined the family business. Can you tell us about some of the most important changes since the generational change?
Mario Fritz: Of course. With the generational change, we have significantly expanded our product range and adapted it more closely to the needs of our customers. This includes not only a larger number of items, but also new categories such as fish and seafood. We have also intensified our imports of fresh and frozen meat and optimized our logistics so that we can usually deliver goods to our customers within 24 hours, sometimes even 48 hours. We have greatly expanded our international sales activities, which is also reflected in a fivefold increase in sales volumes and turnover. In addition, we offer our customers added value through services such as individual labeling for each POS system. Fritz has all the important certifications, such as IFS Broker and Logistic, to ensure a high level of quality and food safety. Another milestone in the generational change was the entry of my wife Christina Fritz and my cousin Marco Fritz into the company. Our shared passion for meat and our enthusiasm for being part of a family business were thus taken to a new level. Every partner, customer, and companion knows that the Fritz family lives and breathes meat.
You are one of the largest importers and most successful wholesalers in Germany. Why did you decide to specialize in importing meat from South America in particular?
Mario Fritz: Importing South American meat offers us a number of advantages, primarily due to its quality and the fact that it matures during transport, which further improves the meat quality. There is high demand for this meat quality, which has remained consistently high in South America for decades.
What does meat from South America offer that German beef does not?
Mario Fritz: It's mainly about the different breeds of cattle, a different climate, and professional local partners. On average, these factors result in higher and more consistent product quality, which is very important to us and our customers.
Do you think beef from South America will continue to play an important role in the future, or do you see a shift towards more regional products?
Mario Fritz: In our opinion, beef from South America will remain relevant in the future. Regional products certainly have their place, but they often lack the capacity, professionalism, and consistently high quality that we can guarantee through imports.
Apart from beef, which products inspire you most personally?
Mario Fritz: Currently, Ribfingers from Canada are my absolute favorites. They are not only very popular with our customers, but also with me personally.
What makes Fritz such a special company in the meat and fish industry?
Mario Fritz: Our company is characterized by a deep passion for meat and fish. It's not just about selling products—we convey a genuine attitude toward life and a culture of enjoyment. Our dynamic team supplies exactly what our customers need with over 500 items. If something is not available, we will organize it. We respond flexibly to individual requirements, offer tailor-made solutions such as individual labeling or alternative packaging units – and guarantee consistently high freshness thanks to daily deliveries. We are constantly evolving, adapting to market and customer needs, and always thinking one step ahead. Bureaucratic hurdles and rigid structures? Not with us. That's what makes us real movers and shakers in the industry.
