RAJA Group history: once upon a time…

It probably hasn’t escaped your notice: in 2019, we changed our name from Rajapack to RAJA. Both our old and our new name refer directly to the RAJA Group. This includes 25 companies, all specialising in packaging, warehouse equipment or office supplies. Curious about the history behind this international group? Read on below and dive back 65 years.

The RAJA Group: good for 65 years of experience

What once started as a local distributor has grown into a successful European family, operating in 18 countries. Together, the RAJA Group companies stand strong as Europe’s number one packaging company.

► 1950s: once upon a time… in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower

We begin our time travel in 1954. France is then still fully recovering from the effects of World War II. The demand for cheap (but decent) materials is high.

Two women respond to this particularly cleverly and start selling boxes made of (partly) recycled cardboard. These are much cheaper than new boxes, without sacrificing quality. The names of these two women? Rachel Marcovici and Janine Rocher. Together, they are at the cradle of ” Cartons RAJA ” . RAJA is simply the contraction of their initials: RAcheland JAnine.

Both women start their adventure near the Eiffel Tower in Paris. In five years, they manage to grow considerably. By 1959 , they already employ 10 people and realise a turnover of 1 million French francs (± €150,000).

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► 1960s: succession assured

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In 1962 , Danièle Kapel-Marcovici first enters the picture, later CEO of the RAJA Group. The daughter of Rachel Marcovici, she starts her career at Cartons RAJA as a representative. She is 16 years old at the time.

In 1965 , Cartons RAJA was the first company in France to launch the padded paper envelope. This protective envelope is 100% made of paper, 65% of which is recycled. To highlight this unique eco-friendly product, a marketing campaign is launched for the first time, sending product samples along with a price list. An advertising method that marks the beginning of RAJA’s subsequent catalogue sales.

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► 1970s: new hits thanks to plastic

In the 1970s, numerous new plastic materials are developed worldwide. This allows Cartons RAJA to add many products to its range: think tapes, foam film and bubble wrap.

The first full-fledged product catalogue is launched in 1975. It comprises 24 pages offering 365 products. 10,000 copies of it are distributed.

In 1978 , Danièle Kapel-Marcovici takes over as director of Marketing and Sales. In the same year, RAJA gains recognition for the Rajamousse foam envelopes, which are introduced exclusively by them on the French market.

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► 1980s: the apple does not fall far from the tree

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In 1982 , the torch is passed from mother to daughter. At the age of 36, Danièle Kapel-Marcovici succeeded her mother Rachel as CEO of Cartons RAJA. In the following years, the paper catalogue grows into the company’s main sales tool. This makes Cartons RAJA a pioneer in B2B mail-order packaging sales.

The distribution centre in Gonesse (north of Paris) is expanded to meet a new, key objective of the company: to deliver products throughout France within 48 hours and become the French market leader in packaging.

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► 1990s: time to push the boundaries

Cartons RAJA , meanwhile, offers much more than just cardboard packaging materials. Therefore, in the early 1990s, it says goodbye to ‘Cartons’ and the name simply becomes RAJA.

In 1994 , a first step is taken abroad. With the takeover of the Belgian company Binpac, RAJA gets a foothold in its northern neighbours. A few years later, for the Belgian branch, the names Binpac and RAJA were in fact merged into Rajapack – that sounds familiar, doesn’t it? This ‘Rajapack formula’ was successfully copied to other countries in the coming decades.

Moreover, following this acquisition, the RAJA Group is created: an umbrella organisation that will take several companies under its wing. A few years later, the new headquarters of this RAJA Group opens in Paris, near Charles de Gaulle airport.

Meanwhile, internationalisation continues. In 1997 , the first branch opens in the Netherlands. In 1998 , the acquisition of British company Aid Pack follows and the establishment of Rajapack UK is a fact. The 1990s conclude with the establishment of Rajapack Germany in 1999.

► Years 2000: one click to your packaging

The 2000s usher in digital expansion. For example, the RAJA Group successfully launches its French e-commerce website (www.raja.fr). Branches in other countries soon follow. Moreover, to put their expertise of over 50 years stronger in the market, they develop their own house brand: the Raja brand.

Besides digital, RAJA is also getting closer to its European customers geographically. The group expands with branches in Spain (2003), Austria (2004), Italy (2006), the Czech Republic (2007) and Switzerland (2008).

The RAJA Group also starts offering office supplies in 2008 . To do so, they will acquire two French companies: L’Équipier, which specialises in hygiene products, and Welcome Office, a leading online supplier of office supplies and furniture.

► Years 2010: together to become Europe’s number 1

The RAJA Group, meanwhile, is gaining ground in northern and eastern Europe. In 2010, the first Rajapack branch opened in Norway. This was followed by branches in Denmark and Poland (both 2011), Sweden (2012) and Slovakia (2016). Together with Portugal (also in 2016), this brings the total to 18 European countries.

From 2010 , RAJA Group can actually call itself Europe’s number one packaging company. Two major acquisitions ensured this. On the one hand, there was Cenpac, one of the largest distributors of packaging in France. On the other hand, you had Festapack, a Belgian manufacturer of packaging.

In 2015 , RAJA Group expanded even further, acquiring the UK’s Morplan: a giant in retail packaging and shop equipment. Udo Bär, one of Germany’s largest suppliers of warehouse equipment, is acquired in 2017. Finally, STAPLES Solutions in France, Italy and Spain will follow in 2019 – the biggest expansion until then! With that acquisition, the RAJA Group reaches the milestone of 1 billion euros in sales.

For yet another reason,2019 is a year to be marked with a dot. From then on, all branches with the Rajapack name will be renamed RAJA. Thus, all these branches across Europe will henceforth bear one and the same name. Easily recognisable for everyone!

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In a nutshell: the history of RAJA in Benelux

• 1989: establishment of Binpac and start of shipments in Belgium and Luxembourg.
• 1993: Binpac is acquired by RAJA. Wido Bourel becomes General Manager for Belgium.
• 1994: Binpac becomes a member of the brand new RAJA Group. At that time, 100 products are offered. 14 people are employed.
• 1995: Move to Sint-Truiden (logistics centre of 4,000^m2).
• 1997: start of sales activities in the Netherlands.
• 2000: move to a new logistics centre in Tongeren (7,500^m2).

• 2005: opening of new offices in Breda for the Dutch sales team. All other activities for the Netherlands are conducted from Tongeren.
• 2007: Binpac changes its name to Rajapack Belgium and Rajapack Netherlands respectively.
• 2008: 100 employees employed.
• 2012: cape of 5,000 products in the range is reached.
• 2019: warehouse expansion to 50,000^m2. Rajapack becomes RAJA.
• 2020: Managing director Wido Bourel passes the torch to Gidi Pluym after 25 years.