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Travel through our history timeline

Time travel through the Nestlé story

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

Along the way, we'll see why Henri Nestlé 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 Nestlé company history timeline (pdf, 2Mb)

 

1866 - 1904 The pioneer years
1905 – 1913 The Belle Époque
1914 – 1918 Adapting during wartime
1919 - 1938 Crisis and opportunity
1939 - 1947 Riding out the storm
1948 - 1959 Creating convenience for consumers
1960 - 1980 Frozen foods to pharmaceuticals
1981 - 1999 Towards health, nutrition and wellness
2000 - 2016 Creating shared value
2017 – present Creating a better tomorrow, today
The pioneer years
1866 - 1904

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 - 1904 Close Period Highlights
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 Close Period Highlights
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

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1914 – 1918 Close Period Highlights
Crisis and opportunity
1919 - 1938

After the war, military demand for milk declines, causing a major crisis for Nestlé & Anglo-Swiss in 1921. The company recovers, but is rocked by the Wall Street Crash, which reduces consumer purchasing power. Despite the downs, the era delivers many positives. The company's management corps is professionalized, research is centralized and pioneering products like

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1919 - 1938 Close Period Highlights
Riding out the storm
1939 - 1947

The outbreak of World War Two in 1939 affects virtually every market. Nestlé & Anglo-Swiss continues to operate in difficult circumstances, supplying both civilians and armed forces. In 1947, the company adds

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1939 - 1947 Close Period Highlights
Creating convenience for consumers
1948 - 1959

and Europe start spending money on machines that make life easier, like refrigerators and freezers. Convenience foods also become popular, with Nestlé Alimentana launching new products including

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1948 - 1959 Close Period Highlights
Frozen foods to pharmaceuticals
1960 - 1980

Acquisitions enable Nestlé to enter new areas like frozen foods, while expanding its traditional businesses. In the 1970s the company diversifies into pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. Growing criticism from activist groups allege Nestlé's marketing of infant food is unethical. Nestlé later becomes one the first companies to apply the

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1960 - 1980 Close Period Highlights
Towards health, nutrition and wellness
1981 - 1999

After years of growth, Nestlé lets go of unprofitable brands. It starts promoting brands that meet the demands of more health-conscious consumers, in line with its new 'Nutrition, Health and Wellness' strategy. The company expands in the

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1981 - 1999 Close Period Highlights
Creating shared value
2000 - 2016

to further develop sustainable supply chains. While the business continues strengthening its position in traditional segments like infant formula and frozen foods, it also starts focusing on medical nutrition.

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2000 - 2016 Close Period Highlights
Creating a better tomorrow, today
2017 – present

Alongside traditional market segments, Nestlé continues to find new growth opportunities in healthcare. It acquires businesses including Zenpep, Vital Proteins and Aimmune, plus a majority stake in Orgain, a leader in plant-based nutrition. The company also steps up its sustainability aims, committing to recyclable packaging and net zero emissions.

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2017 – present Close Period Highlights