The ladder of growth that Zerhusen Kartonagen ( Zerhusen ) has climbed , since the breaking of ground at its first site in 1986 , is as natural as its mainstay product ’ s original form . Over the last 35 years , the family-owned company has progressed from a merchant to processor , and now , manufacturer , making its way , step-bystep in the corrugated cardboard industry . It was founded by Günter Zerhusen on 1st January 1987 in Damme , Germany – with nothing more than a tight-knit team of three people and an 1800-square-meter operations hall . From these humble beginnings , the current enterprise now employs 675 people , and this year , has generated € 175 million .