History
Tradition and innovation go hand in hand at Reck & Co. We have over 175 years of experience in reliable claims adjustment and transport loss prevention.
1848
Formation of the company
It is the time of the great wave of emigration from Bremen and Bremerhaven to the USA. Together with his merchant friend Diederich Cordes, Friedrich Reck founded F. Reck & Co. on 15 September 1848 in Bremen. The “Equipment and Food Supplier for Ships and Emigrants” flourished.
1854
Entry into shipping business
The flow of emigrants slows over the course of the 1850s. In contrast to Cordes, Reck does not stick to the ship chandlerer business. On 1 January 1854 he moves into the shipping business, adding “private insurer” at the same time. Within a few years he makes himself a name as a correspondent shipper. At time, the Reck fleet consists of eight sailing ships.
1863
The start of a successful collaboration
Franz Heinrich Kasten enters the company as a clerk and learns marine insurance business from the bottom up. With his thirst for knowledge and application, he worked his way up in just two years, Holding a procuartion (per. pro.) at only 22 years of age.
1870
Agency agreement with scarcity value
Reck & Co. takes on the transport insurance business as agent for an insurer. With great success – this first agency contract lasts over 100 years, a rarity in the marine insurance industry. In the same year the company starts working as an average agent.
1878
Appointment as AIMU Correspondent
The first official appointment as average agent is by the American Institute of Marine Underwriters, and this has lasted to the present day. In the same year, Friedrich Reck receives a special distinction: he is elected President of the Bremen Chamber of Commerce.
1885
New partner on board
An important year for Franz Heinrich Kasten: he is accepted as a partner in F. Reck & Co. Just like Friedrich Reck he enthusiastically takes on new challenges all through his life, steadily developing his skills.
1891
Appointment as Lloyd’s agent
In 1891 the company is appointed a “Lloyd’s Agent”, another appointment which this has lasted to the present day.
Both the AIMU and Lloyd’s appointments still serve as a quality seal.
1933
End of an era
In the 30s Reck & Co. passes into the sold possession of the Kasten family, after the resignation of the last member of the Reck Family. Franz Heinrich Kasten is the third generation of Kastens to join the firm.
1945
Restoration of overseas business relationships
During the Second World War the business of Reck & Co. faces great difficulties. Existing overseas connections become dormant during this period. After the war the long-standing overseas business relationships quickly recover.
1968
Entry of Gerhard Kasten
Gerhard Kasten is the fourth generation of Kastens to join the company. He spends the next few years working and learning, with insurers in Switzerland, London and New York. In England he passes the professional examination for A.C.I.I. (Associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute) being later accepted as “Chartered Insurance Practitioner”.
1971
Gerhard Kasten becomes a partner
After the sudden death of his father in 1970, Gerhard Kasten becomes a managing Partner.
1992
Addition of Harald von Seydlitz
Harald von Seydlitz joins Reck & Co. in 1992 as surveyor and claims agent. In the 70s Gerhard Kasten had laid the foundation for the recovery Business, and von Seydlitz develops this service with great commitment into one of the company’s main business areas.
1997
Legal expansion with Marc Friedrich
Marc Friedrich joins Reck & Co. in 1997 as a lawyer in the recovery department.
2002
Harald von Seydlitz becomes a partner
Ten years after joining the company, Harald von Seydlitz is accepted as managing partner of Reck & Co.
2003
Expansion into France
Reck & Co. establishes further offices abroad, and founded F. Reck & Co. (France) sarl with Ronald Farhana, with offices in Marseilles and Paris.
2004
Franz Kasten joins the company representing the fifth generation of the family. With 14 years of experience in international transport and logistics, he consolidates the range of competence and provides new Stimulus.
2006
New company in Belgium
To expand the radius of action and the network in the principals’ interests, Reck & Co. (Belgium) bvba is founded with its head office in Zeebrugge, Belgium.
2008
Reck & Co. takes over more Lloyd’s Agencies
Reck & Co. is appointed Lloyd’s Agent for Hamburg, Berlin and Munich. Reck & Co. now covers all German sea ports.
2009
Reorganisation of the management
The management is reorganised with three managing partners in Reck & Co.: Harald von Seydlitz, Franz Kasten and Marc Friedrich. Gerhard Kasten had resigned as managing director a year earlier.
2011
New office in Switzerland
Reck & Co. (Suisse) AG is founded in Basel. In the same year the company is appointed Lloyd’s Agent for German-speaking Switzerland and Lichtenstein. The Belgian office is relocated from Zeebrugge to Antwerp.
2015
Relocation to the Weser Terminal
As the company continues to grow, Reck & Co. moves to Weser Terminal 1 in Überseestadt, in October 2015. All central functions, such as the recovery department, claim adjustment and internal services, are consolidated in Bremen.
2016
Elisabeth Fentsahm heads “Automotive”
Demand for competent claims adjustment by Reck & Co. is great, and the number of employees has doubled in the last five years alone. The automotive department is also flourishing. To ensure optimal coordination and processing, Elisabeth Fentsahm takes over responsibility for this area.
2017
Reck & CO. (Suisse) AG becomes Lloyd’s Agent for the whole of Switzerland
Reck & Co. (Suisse) AG is appointed Lloyd’s Agent for western Switzerland in addition, extending its responsibility to the whole of Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
2021
Reck & Co. is appointed as Lloyd’s Agent for Austria
Reck & Co. is also appointed as Lloyd’s Agent for Austria (Vienna). This means that Reck & Co. now covers the German-speaking region as Lloyd’s Agent.
2022
Harald von Seydlitz
After more than 30 years in which he played a key role in shaping the company, 20 of them as Managing Partner, Harald von Seydlitz will retire at the end of 2022. During his active time, the subrogation area was greatly expanded and the industrial business was redeveloped. He also played a leading role in setting up the Swiss company.
