The gathering at the company’s headquarters in Jaraguá do Sul brought together approximately 200 former employees for a day of reunions, shared memories, and a chance to reconnect with the company’s present and future.
Some people leave the company when they retire. At DR Flavors & Ingredients, however, that’s not the case. On Thursday morning (August 7), approximately 200 members of the Retirees Club returned to the company’s headquarters in Jaraguá do Sul for a gathering that has become a cherished tradition for those who helped build our history.
The gathering began at 11:30 a.m. with a conversation about the company’s present and future. Afterward came the hugs, the laughter, and one of the day’s most anticipated moments: the traditional feijoada served in the company’s restaurant.
During the presentation, the retirees learned about the latest developments at DR, including the rebranding carried out last year, which marked the company’s name change from Duas Rodas to DR Flavors & Ingredients. It was an opportunity for the former employees to learn about the direction the company has been taking and to see that, even after retirement, they remain an important part of its journey.
But as soon as lunch began, the conversation shifted. From one table to the next, conversations naturally turned back to stories from the old days. They shared memories of everyday life at the company, their early years, colleagues who left a lasting mark, time spent with the founders, Rudolph and Hildegard Hufenüssler, and their sons, Dietrich and Rodolfo Hufenüssler, as well as funny stories and the challenges they experienced together. For many, it was like going back in time for a few hours.
That is precisely the purpose of the Retirees Club. Created in 1999, it was established to preserve the connection between the company and those who dedicated part of their lives to helping build it. The initiative began simply: when Dietrich and Rodolfo Hufenüssler decided that retirees should also receive Christmas gift baskets, what started as home deliveries became an opportunity for reunions. Over time, those gatherings grew and eventually gave rise to the Club.
Today, the group brings together approximately 250 members, including former employees and their spouses. In addition to the monthly gatherings, the program includes trips, lectures, and other social activities, preserving friendships that began within the company and strengthening the sense of belonging that endures even after retirement.
This commitment to people was also recognized in 2025, when the project “Retirees Club – Building Stories, Honoring the Legacy” received the Ser Humano SC Award, presented by ABRH-SC (Brazilian Association of Human Resources – Santa Catarina Chapter), in the ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) category.
More than preserving memories, the Retirees Club demonstrates that the relationship between DR and its employees does not end on their last day of work. It lives on in the reunions, the conversations, the friendships that span decades, and the certainty that those who helped build the company will always have a place to come back to.
