Our story
Royal ERU is an independent Dutch cheese dairy, established over 195 years ago. Since the Ruijs family founded its cheese shop here in 1824, the company has remained true to its hometown of Woerden in the Netherlands’ green heartland.
Royal ERU has a passion for cheese in general, and high-quality processed cheese products in particular. ERU’s famous Goudkuipje, a small ‘Golden Tub’ with tasty cheese spread, can be found in households all over the Netherlands. With its range of cheese products, the ERU logo is a familiar sight on countless breakfast and lunch tables. But also in the food service sector – ERU’s high-quality cheeses in their many variants are popular in professional kitchens.
Innovation is important to ERU. The company keeps a close eye on the wishes of the consumer and food professional, introducing innovative new products which are as healthy as they are flavourful.
The early days
ERU’s original cheese shop was opened in Woerden in 1824 by Mr Egbert Ruijs (E RU), a true cheese lover. In the early days, the business focused on luncheon cheese and other solid cheeses.
In the 1920s, the company sought to develop an effective procedure for melting cheese for a spreadable product. After successfully experimenting with various cheeses, ERU opened its first plant for the large-scale production of processed cheese in 1938. This processed cheese proved such a success that the company eventually started increasing its focus on cheese spreads.
The early days
ERU’s original cheese shop was opened in Woerden in 1824 by Mr Egbert Ruijs (E RU), a true cheese lover. In the early days, the business focused on luncheon cheese and other solid cheeses.
In the 1920s, the company sought to develop an effective procedure for melting cheese for a spreadable product. After successfully experimenting with various cheeses, ERU opened its first plant for the large-scale production of processed cheese in 1938. This processed cheese proved such a success that the company eventually started increasing its focus on cheese spreads.
The 1950s: Goudkuipje
ERU’s distinctive Goudkuipje product was introduced in 1959, and soon became the company’s flagship product. This kind of packaging for a cheese spread had never been seen before. The product was a huge success: in its first year, ERU already produced around 50,000 Goudkuipjes.
As such, Goudkuipje was a worthy successor to an older cheese spread, Hompie: 50-gram triangles wrapped in aluminium foil and sold in a small round box. Goudkuipje’s packaging, which at the time was still made from sturdy aluminium foil, was a new sight in Dutch shops and ERU eventually patented it.
In those days, the company only had one filling machine to fill the tubs. The small containers were then sealed tight by hand by a few female workers. Today, things have been scaled up: every year, tens of millions of Goudkuipjes and other products leave Woerden.
The 1950s: Goudkuipje
ERU’s distinctive Goudkuipje product was introduced in 1959, and soon became the company’s flagship product. This kind of packaging for a cheese spread had never been seen before. The product was a huge success: in its first year, ERU already produced around 50,000 Goudkuipjes.
As such, Goudkuipje was a worthy successor to an older cheese spread, Hompie: 50-gram triangles wrapped in aluminium foil and sold in a small round box. Goudkuipje’s packaging, which at the time was still made from sturdy aluminium foil, was a new sight in Dutch shops and ERU eventually patented it.
In those days, the company only had one filling machine to fill the tubs. The small containers were then sealed tight by hand by a few female workers. Today, things have been scaled up: every year, tens of millions of Goudkuipjes and other products leave Woerden.
The 1990s
In acknowledgement of changing trends and wishes, ERU gradually expanded its Goudkuipje range to include new flavours like sambal (with chilli paste) and mustard, offering consumers a wider range of options to choose from.
In 1993, Goudkuipje’s on-going success also inspired the company to launch a low-fat variant, which was appropriately dubbed Zilverkuipje. Later, Zilverkuipje was renamed SlimKuipje, and has since been replaced by a new product, ERU Balans: a low-fat cheese spread with a dash of low-fat yoghurt and only 5% fat.
In this period, ERU also launched the first Goudkuipje portion packs. This marked the company’s first foray into the food service market, responding to the growing need for portion packs in this sector.
The 1990s
In acknowledgement of changing trends and wishes, ERU gradually expanded its Goudkuipje range to include new flavours like sambal (with chilli paste) and mustard, offering consumers a wider range of options to choose from.
In 1993, Goudkuipje’s on-going success also inspired the company to launch a low-fat variant, which was appropriately dubbed Zilverkuipje. Later, Zilverkuipje was renamed SlimKuipje, and has since been replaced by a new product, ERU Balans: a low-fat cheese spread with a dash of low-fat yoghurt and only 5% fat.
In this period, ERU also launched the first Goudkuipje portion packs. This marked the company’s first foray into the food service market, responding to the growing need for portion packs in this sector.
Royal Designation
To mark its 175th anniversary in 1999, Queen Beatrix awarded ERU a Royal Designation in honour of its long-standing tradition of quality. Since then, the Royal crown has been a fixed feature of the ERU logo. In 2007, Royal ERU proudly introduced a new and contemporary logo with a Royal crown that perfectly expresses the company’s core values.
ERU Cheese Spreads
The introduction of ERU Cheese Spreads brought quality cheese with the convenience provided by ERU within reach of the food service professional too. The resealable 1 kg bulk packaging were obviously used to make sandwiches, as well as other applications such as enhancing ‘stamppotten’ and creating full cheese sauces became much easier. With their constant quality and flexible structure, ERU’s Cheese Spreads are highly rated in many professional kitchens.
ERU Cheese Spreads
The introduction of ERU Cheese Spreads brought quality cheese with the convenience provided by ERU within reach of the food service professional too. The resealable 1 kg bulk packaging were obviously used to make sandwiches, as well as other applications such as enhancing ‘stamppotten’ and creating full cheese sauces became much easier. With their constant quality and flexible structure, ERU’s Cheese Spreads are highly rated in many professional kitchens.
ERU Today
ERU’s high quality cheeses cater to a variety of tastes and needs. For example, in 2020, ERU introduced an organic cheese spread, ERU Cheese Spread BioGouda, responding to the growing demand for organic food service solutions. But with their flavour and hygienic packaging, the individually packed ERU Slices Cheddar are also a valuable addition to our food service range.
ERU Today
ERU’s high quality cheeses cater to a variety of tastes and needs. For example, in 2020, ERU introduced an organic cheese spread, ERU Cheese Spread BioGouda, responding to the growing demand for organic food service solutions. But with their flavour and hygienic packaging, the individually packed ERU Slices Cheddar are also a valuable addition to our food service range.
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