Nestlé History

The history of Nestlé began in Switzerland in 1867 when Henri Nestlé, the pharmacist, launched his product Farine Lactée Nestlé, a nutritious gruel for children. Henri used his surname, which means ‘little nest’, in both the company name and the logotype. The nest, which symbolises security, family and nourishment, still plays a central role in Nestlé’s profile.

Since it began over 130 years ago, Nestlé’s success with product innovations and business acquisitions has turned it into the largest Food Company in the world. As the years have passed, the Nestlé family has grown to include chocolates, soups, coffee, cereals, frozen products, yoghurts, mineral water and other food products. Beginning in the 70s, Nestlé has continued to expand its product portfolio to include pet foods, pharmaceutical products and cosmetics too.

Today, Nestlé markets a great number of products, all with one thing in common: the high quality for which Nestlé has become renowned throughout the world.

• 1867
  Henri Nestlé founded the company in Vevey, Switzerland.
• 1898
  Nestlé purchases its first factory outside of Switzerland – Viking Melk factory in Norway.
• 1905
  Nestlé merges with Anglo-Swiss Condensed Milk Company.
• 1929
  Nestlé merges with Peter-Cailler-Kohler Chocolats Suisses S.A.
• 1938
  Nestlé launches Nescafé – the world’s first instant coffee.
• 1947
  Nestlé merges with Alimentana S.A. with the brand Maggi.
• 1962
  Nestlé purchases Findus.
• 1974
  Nestlé becomes a significant shareholder in the Cosmetics Company L’Oréal.
• 1977
  Nestlé purchases Alcon, manufacturer of eye care products and kits.
• 1985
  Nestlé purchases the Food Company Carnation.
• 1988
  Nestlé purchases the confectionary company Rowntree Mackintosh and the pasta company Buitoni-Perugina.
• 1992
  Nestlé purchases the mineral water Company Perrier.
• 1998
  Nestlé purchases Spillers pet foods business.
• 1999
  Nestlé acquires Preparados y Congelados Alimenticios LA, La Cocinera, which produces ready-made frozen meals, pizzas, snacks and refrigerated products under the La Cocinera and Fricongel brand names.
• 2000
  Nestlé sells the Findus brand in all countries except for Italy and Switzerland.
• 2001
  Nestlé merges with Ralston Purina, the premier petfood Company in North America, and with unique expertise in the dry dog food area.