Our Company History

The Traditional Beekeeping Business from the Black Forest

Cum Natura originated from the family beekeeping business Kumm, founded in 1904, and is now run by master beekeeper Stefan Kumm and his wife Heidi Bauer.

Bees and beekeeping are our passion and define us as a company.

Late 1950s – early 1960s: Heinrich Kumm (father of Stefan Kumm) becomes a pioneer in professional propolis refinement in Germany.
Stefan Kumm’s first contact with bees was at the age of 10, when he caught his first swarm.
1980: Stefan Kumm acquires his first two bee colonies.
1987: Begins beekeeping training at the University of Hohenheim under Prof. Dr. Vorwohl.
1990: Becomes one of Germany’s youngest professional beekeepers.
1994: Starts master beekeeper training.
1995: Certified as a master beekeeper.
1996: Completes training as a pharmaceutical consultant
1998: Cum Natura GmbH is founded as a registered pharmaceutical company. Stefan Kumm becomes managing director of Cum Natura GmbH. Like Steve Jobs or Bill Gates, Cum Natura GmbH started in the garage of his home in Bühlertal.

November 5, 2001: BIOLAND certification as an organic beekeeping business (then called BIOZERT).
2004: Cum Natura becomes a recognized beekeeping brand.
2008: Moves to a former tobacco factory in Bühlertal – by 2012, it became too small.
September 12, 2012: Groundbreaking for the new company building at Am Froschbächle 17, Bühl.

Since July 2013: Beekeeping, production, shipping, offices, and retail store at the new location.
March 2014: Launch of the "Imkergut" brand with a new online shop.
June 2014: Introduction of the ajovita label, a natural cosmetics line developed by Stefan Kumm’s wife and managing director Heidi Bauer.
November 2020: Stefan Kumm receives the Silver Master Certificate from the State of Baden-Württemberg.
November 2021: Cum Natura celebrates 20 years of BIOLAND certification.
April 2022: Cum Natura becomes an official partner of the Nature Park.
2023: Cum Natura GmbH celebrates its 25th anniversary.