How it all began

9. November 1989 – Germany was no longer separated by the Berlin Wall and barbed wire. The GDR (German Democratic Republic) opened its borders to the Federal Republic of Germany and to Berlin (West). Thousands of GDR citizens set off with their Trabbis, Wartburgs or by foot in the West. Amongst them was a young man with one vision.
The idea of father Wolfgang Starke of founding a trucking company is the will of René’and his wife Ilona. René’ attended a congress of the cooperation exchange program from the chambers of industry and commerce in Berlin. As a result he made new business and human contacts. Through the international chamber of commerce in Frankfurt/Main a phone call was made to a Mr. Dr. Bovermann end of February 1990. Dr. Bovermann, director and co-partner of 10 relocation firms is asked whether he would be interested in helping a young man from East Germany to establish a new company. With no big contracts being awardeda cooperation based on knowledge of human nature, fairness, trust and humanity begins between East and West on the 1st of July 1990 a GmbH (private limited company) was established under the name of "Rettenmayer & Starke GmbH". As we have separated ourselves from the Rettenmayer Group we changed our name to Möbeltransporte R. Starke GmbH on the 1st of January 2005.

The first truck

The first truck, a MAN year of construction 1979 changes its location from Wiesbaden to Gera at the end of April in 1990. Only a few days later René can pick up an almost brand new Merceces Benz 817. A company with a steady structure and staff members is developing. Work is being distributed on many shoulders. René creates new jobs. As a result of the excellent work of the company, its rapidity and reliability the firm becomes well-known. So it’s not surprising that soon new premises will have to be found.

Construction of new office and warehouse complex

We finally move into the first premises in Wasserkunst Street in Gera. Soon our premises shall be too small for a fast growing company. As a result of the increasing order situation it was highly important to the Rettenmayer & Starke company to find appropriate land for a new developement as soon as possible. The planned developement of two warehouses with a corresponding social building became urgency. Building measures started on the 26. August 1991. A proud feeling developed as a superb workstation emerged, that again created new jobs. The outdoor jobs on warehouse 1 and on the offices were more or less completed in spring 1992.

Social and corporative engagement

The company does not only use those two words for advertising purporses, it lives accordingly. Rettenmayer & Starke was amongst the companies that started for Bosnia on the 4th of December 1989 for a charity project. Numerous donations were to be delivered on the 7th of December.
A big truck with used goods set off for the dangerous and difficoult way to deliver basic goods to the people of Bosanska Krupa.

Charity projects and transports were carried out three times in total.

René Starke was deeply impressed and moved by the poverty, suffering and developement that he could personally experience in Rumania in June 1992. Two of the company’s trucks delivered donations such as washing machines, fridges and clothing.