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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.
Period highlights

1866 - 1904
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.
Period highlights
1905 – 1913
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
Period highlights

1914 – 1918
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
Period highlights

1919 - 1938
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
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
Period highlights

1948 - 1959
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
Period highlights
1960 - 1980
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
Period highlights

1981 - 1999
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.
Period highlights

2000 - 2016
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.
Period highlights

2017 – present