VIVIL HISTORY
Freshness since 1903
1903
August Müller invents the VIVIL peppermint sweet
What does a soldier dream of on a dusty, hot parade ground during the German Empire? Refreshing peppermint sweets! At the end of the 19th century, the idea of freshness on the go began to take shape in the mind of businessman August Müller. He was in the 10th Company of Infantry Regiment No. 126 and wanted nothing more than refreshingly cool peppermint sweets that would fit in any pocket.
In 1903, he founded the company A. Müller & Co. in Strasbourg, then part of the German Empire. He created his sweets with fresh, natural peppermint oil and gave them his wife's French maiden name: VIVIL. Even back then, he was selling his sweets throughout much of Europe with a small team of employees, and by 1908 he was even selling them in America.
1919
A new start after World War I – Offenburg becomes home to VIVIL
What does an entrepreneur do when he suddenly finds himself living in the country of his former enemy after the war? He relocates. August Müller is only allowed to take his family and a suitcase with him when he has to leave Strasbourg, now part of France. He arrives in Offenburg and knows that he cannot go far alone. With a business partner and dedicated Offenburg residents as new employees, August Müller gets started.
1929
Dr Bruno Müller takes over – global advertising generates enthusiasm
How does the generational change take place in a family business? The children join the company. In 1929, August Müller's son Dr Bruno Müller joins the management team after studying in Germany and abroad.
1946
The difficult post-war period – VIVIL must recover
What can people do when war breaks out? Stick together. Dr Bruno Müller does not return from the war. Two years later, his father dies, shortly after his mother. Bruno's wife Elisabeth runs the company until she too dies unexpectedly early in 1951.
1952
Reconstruction begins – the new office building is constructed
What does a company need if it wants to grow? Space for its employees. With the construction of the new office building next to the production facility, which still stands today on Moltkestraße in Offenburg, the administration gains space to productively live the fresh spirit of cooperation.
Although candy production is the heart of the company, it also needs a head to sell the rolls that have become popular worldwide. Freshness has a new home.
1962
The product family grows – Axel Müller-Vivil takes over
What happens in a sweet factory when all the ingredients are once again in abundance? The sweet makers develop new recipes. Together, the VIVIL team observes the market and continuously implements new ideas.
In the 1960s, peppermint sweets with glucose ‘antjes’ and fruit and glucose sweets ‘Kiviv’ are added to the range. A few years after Axel Müller joined the management team in 1962, he was already experimenting with what is in demand on the sweet market today: particularly aromatic but sugar-free sweets. The first step towards a delicious, low-calorie refreshment had been taken.
1993
The new factory is built – a state-of-the-art location
What does a company do to keep up with the times? It constantly renews itself. In order to be able to develop new and unique-tasting sweets, it was time for a new, modern, high-tech production facility in 1993.
It is built in Offenburg's Oststadt district, barely a kilometre away from the original location. Brand new creations are now developed under the best conditions. Even back then, they were already at the level of today's International Food Standards. Now the range can be expanded to include exciting, innovative varieties.
2003
VIVIL turns 100 – a fresh change of generations
What has a company done right when it reaches the age of 100? It has always kept its customers' wishes in mind. Dr Alexander Müller-Vivil, the son, has been with the company since 2000.
The product highlight of the year is also a big step towards the future: Creme Life, creamy, sugar-free sweets that guarantee 100 per cent enjoyment. New perspectives on a solid foundation – these are the promising ingredients for the next 100 years.
2013
Fresh brand image
What does the next generation do when it takes over the traditional family business? Pave the way for the future. Dr Alexander Müller-Vivil gives the entire brand a facelift:
Freshness as a synonym for open-minded team spirit, affirmative joie de vivre and the courage to be a little different finds its way into all corporate communications. The logo, packaging and website reflect the fresh spirit of the VIVIL world.
TODAY
Forever fresh – everything stays in motion
Today, VIVIL is a 360-degree manufacturer of breath fresheners, a leading expert in sugar-free sweets and always ready to try something new. Pressed, boiled, hard, coated or soft sweets – anything is possible at the high-tech production facility in Offenburg. Ideal conditions for candy developers with sweet expertise, a love of indulgence and undisputed good taste to realise their own ideas. Inspiration comes from the latest flavour trends from around the world.
VIVIL is always a little different, following its own fresh rhythm and guaranteed to be sugar-free.
VIVIL HISTORY
1903
August Müller invents the VIVIL peppermint sweet
What does a soldier dream of on a dusty, hot parade ground during the German Empire? Refreshing peppermint sweets! At the end of the 19th century, the idea of freshness on the go began to take shape in the mind of businessman August Müller. He was in the 10th Company of Infantry Regiment No. 126 and wanted nothing more than refreshingly cool peppermint sweets that would fit in any pocket.
In 1903, he founded the company A. Müller & Co. in Strasbourg, then part of the German Empire. He created his sweets with fresh, natural peppermint oil and gave them his wife's French maiden name: VIVIL. Even back then, he was selling his sweets throughout much of Europe with a small team of employees, and by 1908 he was even selling them in America.
1919
A new start after World War I – Offenburg becomes home to VIVIL
What does an entrepreneur do when he suddenly finds himself living in the country of his former enemy after the war? He relocates. August Müller is only allowed to take his family and a suitcase with him when he has to leave Strasbourg, now part of France. He arrives in Offenburg and knows that he cannot go far alone. With a business partner and dedicated Offenburg residents as new employees, August Müller gets started.
1929
Dr Bruno Müller takes over – global advertising generates enthusiasm
How does the generational change take place in a family business? The children join the company. In 1929, August Müller's son Dr Bruno Müller joins the management team after studying in Germany and abroad.
1946
The difficult post-war period – VIVIL must recover
What can people do when war breaks out? Stick together. Dr Bruno Müller does not return from the war. Two years later, his father dies, shortly after his mother. Bruno's wife Elisabeth runs the company until she too dies unexpectedly early in 1951.
1952
Reconstruction begins – the new office building is constructed
What does a company need if it wants to grow? Space for its employees. With the construction of the new office building next to the production facility, which still stands today on Moltkestraße in Offenburg, the administration gains space to productively live the fresh spirit of cooperation.
Although candy production is the heart of the company, it also needs a head to sell the rolls that have become popular worldwide. Freshness has a new home.
1962
The product family grows – Axel Müller-Vivil takes over
What happens in a sweet factory when all the ingredients are once again in abundance? The sweet makers develop new recipes. Together, the VIVIL team observes the market and continuously implements new ideas.
In the 1960s, peppermint sweets with glucose ‘antjes’ and fruit and glucose sweets ‘Kiviv’ are added to the range. A few years after Axel Müller joined the management team in 1962, he was already experimenting with what is in demand on the sweet market today: particularly aromatic but sugar-free sweets. The first step towards a delicious, low-calorie refreshment had been taken.
1993
The new factory is built – a state-of-the-art location
What does a company do to keep up with the times? It constantly renews itself. In order to be able to develop new and unique-tasting sweets, it was time for a new, modern, high-tech production facility in 1993.
It is built in Offenburg's Oststadt district, barely a kilometre away from the original location. Brand new creations are now developed under the best conditions. Even back then, they were already at the level of today's International Food Standards. Now the range can be expanded to include exciting, innovative varieties.
2003
VIVIL turns 100 – a fresh change of generations
What has a company done right when it reaches the age of 100? It has always kept its customers' wishes in mind. Dr Alexander Müller-Vivil, the son, has been with the company since 2000.
The product highlight of the year is also a big step towards the future: Creme Life, creamy, sugar-free sweets that guarantee 100 per cent enjoyment. New perspectives on a solid foundation – these are the promising ingredients for the next 100 years.
2013
Fresh brand image
What does the next generation do when it takes over the traditional family business? Pave the way for the future. Dr Alexander Müller-Vivil gives the entire brand a facelift:
Freshness as a synonym for open-minded team spirit, affirmative joie de vivre and the courage to be a little different finds its way into all corporate communications. The logo, packaging and website reflect the fresh spirit of the VIVIL world.
TODAY
Forever fresh – everything stays in motion
Today, VIVIL is a 360-degree manufacturer of breath fresheners, a leading expert in sugar-free sweets and always ready to try something new. Pressed, boiled, hard, coated or soft sweets – anything is possible at the high-tech production facility in Offenburg. Ideal conditions for candy developers with sweet expertise, a love of indulgence and undisputed good taste to realise their own ideas. Inspiration comes from the latest flavour trends from around the world.
VIVIL is always a little different, following its own fresh rhythm and guaranteed to be sugar-free.
