[CS] All about the history of RAJA

It’s hard to believe, but it ‘s been 70 years since our company was founded. RAJA began as a small, modest association of two enterprising women. Over time, it has grown into Europe’s leading B2B packaging, consumables and equipment distribution company. Do you want to know where the origin of our name comes from? In this article you will learn how RAJA was founded and how it has grown to the present day. Hop in our time machine!

RAJA’s history decade by decade: from 1954 to the present

1950-59. Formation of Cartons RAJA

In 1954, two enterprising women, Rachel Marcovici and Janine Rocher, founded Cartons RAJA, whose name was created by combining the first two letters of their first names. Encouraged by the constructive spirit of the post-war years, the two business partners decided to use recycled cardboard, which was much cheaper than new cardboard.

This simple but undoubtedly effective idea was the basis of a company that has constantly responded to changes in the historical context over the following generations. The initials of the first names of the two founders gave rise to a brand that has sustained their project of offering practical and quality solutions for over 60 years.

Although Janine soon left the business, Rachel’s husband, Maurice, joined the management and leadership of the company in 1956. Mrs. Marcovici’s energy and entrepreneurial vision made Cartons RAJA a true success. She quickly began to offer new solutions such as corrugated cardboard, adhesive tape, kraft paper and padded bags, and used original sales methods for the time, such as sending samples and quotes by mail.

1960-69. The arrival of Danièle Marcovici

At the age of 16, Danièle Kapel-Marcovici, daughter of Rachel and current CEO of the RAJA Group, joined the family business as a sales representative, selling packaging to Parisian companies.

Aware of the need to adapt to changing times, the founder and her daughter created packaging using the most advanced technologies of the time, such as plastic materials in the 1970s or the revolutionary Rajamousse foam, and contributed to the evolution of the market at both service and advertising level.

1970-79. Publication of the first Cartons RAJA catalogue

In 1975, Danièle Kapel-Marcovici, as marketing director, set up the company’s advertising department and published the first Cartons RAJA catalogue. This innovative publication contained 24 pages of black-and-white printing and a print run of 10,000 copies to complement the work of the sales representatives.

1980-89. Danièle Kapel-Marcovici as Managing Director of Cartons RAJA

Danièle Kapel-Marcovici officially became CEO of the company in 1982. At that time, this small company with 50 employees had already become a pioneer in the distribution of packaging via catalogue in France.

1990-99. Cartons RAJA becomes RAJA and expands in Europe as Rajapack

With the arrival of the 1990s, Danièle Kapel-Marcovici decided to change the company’s name and Cartons RAJA became simply RAJA. The company aspired to become the leading packaging supplier in France and one of its main objectives was to deliver orders throughout France within 48 hours, a service unique in the market at the time. In 1992, the Pad-Pack machine won the “Oscar for packaging” award.

Moreover, in this decade the company grew exponentially and expanded throughout Europe. Starting in Belgium after the acquisition of Binpac in 1994 and continuing to the Netherlands (1997), the United Kingdom (acquisition of AidPack in 1998) and Germany (1999). The subsidiaries in these European countries are called Rajapack.

2000-09. Internet sales started and RAJA grew in new sectors

The year 2000 brought a new revolution for RAJA with the launch of a website and a new online sales service.

In addition, the company continued to expand in Europe and in 2003 Rajapack Spain was founded in Barcelona. Other countries that joined Rajapack were Austria (2004), Italy (2006), Czech Republic (2007) and Switzerland (2008).

During this decade, RAJA opened up to new markets with the establishment of RAJAfood for food packaging. Furthermore, the acquisition of L’Equipier, a company specialising in the sale of hygiene, healthcare and maintenance products at a distance, and Welcome Office, a specialist distributor of B2B office supplies and furniture in France.

In addition, in 2006, Danièle Kapel-Marcovici founded the RAJA-Danièle Marcovici Foundation, which supports non-profit organizations fighting for the liberation and defense of women’s rights in France and worldwide.

In 2019, the names of Rajapack’s subsidiaries were unified under the single brand RAJA.

Following the acquisition of Postemballasje in Norway and Crosstrade in Poland in 2010, the company entered new European markets and continues to expand across Europe with the addition of Rajapack in Denmark (2010), Sweden (2012), Slovakia (2016) and Portugal (2016).

Its growth has continued unabated with the acquisitions of other companies such as CENPAC, JPG and Bernard in France, Morplan in the UK, UDOBÄR in Germany, Mondoffice in Italy and Kalamazoo in Spain.

In 2019, the brand name is changing as all Rajapack’s European subsidiaries are grouped under the single brand RAJA.

2021. Acquisition of Viking

RAJA Group strengthens its position in the office supplies and equipment market with the acquisition of Viking. Acquisition of the Office Depot Europe e-shop. And the contract business of Office Depot Europe in seven European countries: the UK, Ireland, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, the Netherlands and Belgium.

Current RAJA data

Today,the RAJA Group employs approximately 4,500 people. Our company operates in 19 European countries, with 15 distribution centres and 390,000 m2 of warehouse space.

RAJA continues to offer the widest range of packaging on the market with the same guarantee and quality. It caters to all types of businesses regardless of size or location, from multinationals and large companies to SMEs and sole traders. The Group’s two million customers come from all sectors of activity, from industry to services.

We stock over 250,000 products in our extensive catalogue to meet all professional protection, packaging and shipping needs. In conclusion, with a turnover of €1.72 billion in 2022, RAJA is proud to be Europe’s leading packaging distribution company.