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Come on a journey through Nestle's company history. We'll begin in 1866 and finish in the present day.

Along the way, we'll see why Henri Nestle created infant cereal, how the company weathered downturns and two world wars. We'll follow the acquisitions and the move into chocolate, pharmaceuticals and petcare. Before arriving here today, at the world's largest food and beverage company. Ready?

Explore our story below. Alternatively, you can download

1866 – 1905 The Pioneer Years
1905 – 1913 The Belle Époque
1914 – 1918 Adapting during wartime
The Pioneer Years
1866 – 1905

The Nestlé company history begins in 1866, with the foundation of the Anglo-Swiss Condensed Milk Company. Henri Nestlé develops a breakthrough baby food in 1867 and in 1905 his company merges with Anglo-Swiss to form what we know as the Nestlé Group.

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1866 – 1905

1866 
US brothers Charles and George Page establish the Anglo-Swiss Condensed Milk Company. Using the abundant supplies of fresh milk in Switzerland, they start Europe’s first production facility for condensed milk. They sell the milk under the Milkmaid brand. It’s marketed as a safe, long-life alternative to fresh milk.

1867
Nestlé’s founder, German-born pharmacist Henri Nestlé, launches his ‘farine lactée’ (‘flour with milk’) in Vevey, Switzerland. Combining cow’s milk, wheat flour and sugar, the product is designed for infants who can’t be breastfed, to tackle high mortality rates. Around this time he starts using the iconic ‘nest’ logo.

1875
Henri Nestlé, now in his 60s, sells his company and factory in Vevey to three local businessmen. They employ chemists and skilled workers to help expand production and sales.

1878
Fierce competition develops between Nestlé and Anglo-Swiss. They are now selling rival versions of the other’s original products: condensed milk and infant cereal. Both firms expand sales and production abroad.

1882-1902
In 1882 Anglo-Swiss moves into the US, but the death of founder George Page slows down plans. In 1902 Anglo-Swiss sells its US-based operations, paving the way for an eventual merger with Nestlé.

1904
Nestlé starts selling chocolate for the first time after taking over export sales for Peter & Kohler. In 1875, the Nestlé company also plays a role in developing milk chocolate by supplying Vevey neighbor, Daniel Peter, with condensed milk. Peter uses this in his trials to create the first milk chocolate to eat.

The Belle Époque
1905 – 1913

By 1905, Nestlé & Anglo Swiss has more than 20 factories, and is selling in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Australia. As World War One approaches, the company enjoys the period of prosperity known as the Belle Époque or ‘Beautiful Age’. It’s now a global dairy company.

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1905 – 1913

1905
 Anglo-Swiss and Nestlé merge to form the Nestlé & Anglo-Swiss Milk Company. The company has two head offices in Vevey and Cham (Switzerland) and opens a third office in London to help drive export sales. Over several years the company expands its range to include unsweetened condensed milk and sterilized milk.

Adapting during wartime
1914 – 1918

The outbreak of war in 1914, creates new challenges and opportunities. The demand for condensed milk and chocolate increases, while a shortage of raw materials and cross-border trade slow down production. To solve these problems, the company acquires processing facilities in the US and Australia. By the end of the war, Nestlé & Anglo-Swiss has 40 factories.

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1914 – 1918

1914
War breaks out across Europe and disrupts production for the company. The hostilities also drive demand for Nestlé dairy products, in the form of large government contracts.

1915
Condensed milk is long-lasting and easy to transport, which makes it popular with armed forces. In 1915 the British Army starts giving Nestlé canned milk to soldiers in their emergency rations. Strong demand for this product means that the company’s milk refineries are working flat out.

1916
Nestlé & Anglo-Swiss acquires Norwegian dairy company Egron. The business has patented a spray-drying process for producing milk powder, which Nestlé & Anglo-Swiss starts selling.

1917-1918
Milk shortages in Switzerland mean that Nestlé & Anglo-Swiss has to give its fresh milk supplies to help people in towns and cities. To meet the demand for condensed milk from the warring nations, the company buys US refineries and signs supply agreements with Australian companies, which it later acquires.