Werner & Mertz: From Humble Beginnings to Environmental Leadership

Werner & Mertz has a rich history that spans over 175 years. The company was founded in 1883 by two entrepreneurs, Wilhelm Werner and Johann Mertz.

Their humble beginnings started in a small workshop in Munich, Germany. The founders were passionate about creating high-quality cleaning products that were both effective and safe for the environment.

From its early days, Werner & Mertz has been committed to innovation and sustainability. The company's first product was a soap called "Alles Rein" (All Clean), which was a game-changer in the cleaning industry at the time.

Werner & Mertz's dedication to the environment has only grown stronger over the years, with a focus on reducing waste and promoting eco-friendly practices.

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Werner & Mertz was founded in 1867 by Friedrich Christoph Werner and his brother Georg Werner in Mainz, Germany. They started producing wax-based products.

The company's name changed to Werner & Mertz in 1878 after Georg Mertz joined the business. This name has stuck to this day.

A devastating fire in 1908 forced the company to move to a new building in Ingelheimer Aue, where it still operates today.

The Werner & Mertz company was founded in 1867 by Friedrich Christoph Werner and Georg Werner in Mainz, Germany. They started producing cera-based products.

The company's name changed to Werner & Mertz in 1878 with the addition of Georg Mertz as a partner. This name is still used today.

After Georg Mertz's death in 1887, Philipp Adam Schneider took over the company along with the Werner brothers. Schneider's family has continued to lead the company to this day.

Rudolf Schneider, Philipp Adam Schneider's son, became the company's leader at just 19 years old in 1901. He was joined by his brother Hermann Schneider in 1903.

A devastating fire in 1908 destroyed the company's building and home in Erthalstraße, but they rebuilt and moved to a new location in Ingelheimer Aue.

The company's production continued during World War I, but a fire in 1917 required them to rebuild again. This time, they built a new factory and the iconic Froschturm (Frog Tower) that still stands today.

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The company's production facilities were severely damaged in a 1944 Allied bombing, but the Froschturm survived. The company resumed production in 1946 and has continued to grow since then.

Rudolf Schneider left the company in 1954, and his brother Hermann took over, eventually passing the reins to his son Helmut in 1962.

The company made a significant investment in 1996 with the construction of a modern logistics center and automated warehouse in Mainz.

In 1879, the first commercial telephone switchboard was established in Boston. It was a major milestone in the development of modern telecommunications.

The switchboard was run by Emma M. Nutt, a young woman who was hired to answer phone calls and connect them to the correct parties. She played a crucial role in the early days of telephone technology.

The first telephone call was made in 1876, but it wasn't until 1879 that the first commercial switchboard was set up. This marked the beginning of a new era in communication.

The telephone switchboard in Boston was a manual system, where operators like Emma Nutt would use a series of plugs and wires to connect calls. It was a slow and laborious process, but it paved the way for the modern telephone systems we use today.

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Werner & Mertz expanded its range of household cleaning agents after the Second World War, particularly in the 1950s, adding products for bathrooms and carpets.

In the 1950s, Werner & Mertz focused on expanding its product line for household cleaning agents, introducing specific products for bathrooms and carpets.

The company's portfolio was further expanded with the foundation of Tana Chemie GmbH in 1971, a supplier of cleaning agents for large consumers such as restaurants, hospitals, and industrial plants.

Tana Chemie GmbH was established in 1971 to cater to the needs of large consumers, including restaurants, hospitals, and industrial plants.

By the 1980s, Werner & Mertz had introduced its first phosphate-free household cleaning products under the brand "Frosch" in 1986.

In 1986, Werner & Mertz launched its first phosphate-free household cleaning products under the brand "Frosch".

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Werner & Mertz has made significant strides in environmental responsibility. They introduced the first phosphate-free household cleaning agent, Frosch, in 1986.

The company's commitment to sustainability has been driven by owner Reinhard Schneider since 2000. He introduced an environmental and sustainability management programme that has been certified according to the European Union Eco Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) since 2003.

In 2009, Emsal products began containing ingredients on a natural basis. Werner & Mertz has used its brand names to adopt a market position of corporate social responsibility.

Recycled plastic was first used in production during 2008, and the Recyclat Initiative was launched in 2012. This initiative aims to make greater use of plastics sourced from household waste.

The company seeks the advice of the German Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union NABU in its Recyclat Initiative. Packaging has consisted of 80% recycled plastics since 2010.

Detergent bottles used by the Frosch brand are now made entirely from recycled materials. By June 2025, only recycled plastic from the German Yellow Sack collection system has been used.

Werner & Mertz has distributed 1 billion rPET bottles made from 100% post-consumer recyclate. They had already launched the first shower gel bottle made entirely from recycled plastic sourced from the Yellow Sack system in 2019.

The company's use of recycled plastics is a notable achievement, especially considering the cost-intensive nature of this process.

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Werner & Mertz has received numerous awards and recognition for their commitment to sustainability and innovation.

The company was awarded the Austrian Coat of Arms in 1991, recognizing their importance to the province of Salzburg and the city of Hallein.

In 2010, Werner & Mertz received the Environment Prize of the State of Rhineland-Palatinate.

Their main administrative building on Rheinallee was certified with LEED Platinum in 2012.

The company's Recyclat Initiative was recognized with the ECR Award in 2014, as well as the Packaging award and the German Ecodesign Award for the same initiative.

In 2019, Werner & Mertz owner Reinhard Schneider received the German Environment Prize.

In 2023, the company won the WorldStar Packaging Award for the "spray head for the circular economy" developed jointly with Berry Global.

Here is a list of some of the notable awards and recognition Werner & Mertz has received:

Werner & Mertz faced a significant challenge in 1988 when they were put on trial in Germany for criminal product liability.

The company and its managers were charged with negligent bodily injury and life-threatening health hazards.

The product in question was a leather spray that had been on the market since 1980, despite the company knowing about its health risks since then.

The company directors were accused of failing to withdraw the product from the market in good time and of not affixing warning labels promptly.

The responsibility and liability of the managers were confirmed in an appeal-court ruling before the Federal Court of Justice.

Werner & Mertz has made a conscious effort to position itself as a environmentally friendly company, starting with the launch of the Frosch brand, which uses non-harmful substances for all its products.

The company's commitment to sustainability has been evident in its initiatives, such as the "Initiative Frosch", which focuses on all aspects of sustainability within the company.

Werner & Mertz has implemented a system of environmental management and sustainability, which was certified by the European Union's Eco Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) in 2003.

The company's buildings, including its administrative center and production center L8, were designed and built with environmental and sustainable criteria in mind.

The use of recycled plastic in production started in 2008, and in 2012, the official launch of the "Recyclat" initiative took place, aiming to increase the use of recycled plastic materials.

The company has partnered with other organizations, including the Punto Verde, to promote the use of recycled plastic materials and increase the percentage of recycled materials in their products.

By 2010, 80% of the company's packaging materials were made from recycled plastic, primarily from recycled bottles.

The company's commitment to sustainability has not gone unnoticed, and in 2025, Werner & Mertz will exclusively use plastic from the German waste collection system, known as the Gelber Sack.

As of June 2025, the company had produced over a billion bottles made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic, known as rPET.

The company's dedication to sustainability has been recognized, and it has become one of the few companies to continue using recycled plastic, even when the price of virgin petroleum-based plastic dropped in 2020.

The company's CEO, Reinhard Schneider, has been a vocal advocate for greater environmental responsibility among businesses, and has made public appeals for increased environmental awareness.

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At Werner & Mertz, corporate policy is a guiding force that shapes every decision and action. The company's corporate policy is a comprehensive document that outlines its key internal and external context issues.

The corporate policy is embedded in a consolidated form and serves as a guideline for the company's decisions and conduct. This policy is described in the company profile, which includes its goal orientation.

The company's engagement in areas such as environment, energy, and quality is also a key part of its corporate policy. These topics and values are fundamental to the company's identity and are what set it apart.

By living these values, Werner & Mertz aims to make a positive impact and contribute to a better world. The company's commitment to its corporate policy is evident in its daily operations and decision-making processes.

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