The history of our company begins in the year of 1909 when Karl Esslen and the brothers Paul and Walter Salzenbrodt filled leather oil from barrels into bottles for a Swedish oil producer. The general agency soon turns into an independent operation which, after its foundation, sells shoe and leather care products under the brandname COLLONIL (from French “coller” = to glue).
1912 The first factory buildings are moved into the Schlesischen Str. in Berlin. After World War I, the company is re-established and from then on develops shoeshine and care products.
"Collonil shoe care" -
Advertising poster from the 1920s
1921 At the new location of Mühlenbeck, one of many subsequent innovations is born. The product is called “Glanzfett” (“Polishing Grease“) –– which is successfully marketed even in the foreign neighbor countries under the advertising slogan “Shoes want COLLONIL” , a slogan which is still valid, even today.
"Like me - take
COLLONIL
for your shoes, too!"
Advertising poster from 1923
1930 A subsidiary in Vienna is established with its own production facilities which results in the expansion of COLLONIL care products.
When, after World War II, the Mühlenbeck headquarters in the former GDR are nationalized, Walter Salzenbrodt flees to West Berlin.
1949 Walter Salzenbrodt resumes production and distribution of COLLONIL products with his son Rolf and his nephew Hans. Innovations – such as the first tube with sponge applicator in the
1950s and aerosols in the
1960s are launched in the following years and become trendsetters.
1952 The company is renamed Salzenbrodt & Co. KG and is managed by Rolf and Hans Salzenbrodt.
1956 Today’s company headquarters in Berlin are purchased – a 14,000 sqm sized property in Berlin-Wittenau.
1958 The Vienna company moves to a bigger company building. Several Collonil articles are awarded the Austria quality seal and are allowed to bear the Austrian national coat of arms as a mark of quality.
1971 and
1972 Foundation of the subsidiaries COLLONIL France and COLLONIL Denmark.
1998 Dipl. Kfm. Frank Becker (MBA) takes over the corporate management and
1998 the product group COLLONIL Classic is presented for the first time.
1999 The second brand Duke of Dubbin is introduced.
2001 The Introduction of the COLLONIL Premium Linie finds great favour in the leather goods business.
2002 COLLONIL launches the Car Care Set for car leather.
2003 COLLONIL presents the Classic series in a new layout and launches the care series COLLONIL Bike – a leather care program for motorbike garments.
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