Mäurer & Wirtz

The family business was founded by Michael Mäurer and his stepson Andreas August Wirtz, who established a soapworks in Stolberg in 1845. The company initially produced soft soaps, curd soaps and fine soaps which were sold in a local grocery store. Over time, markets were established in Rhineland, Germany, and in neighbouring countries (mainly France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg). In 1884, the company began producing washing powder. The company's first trademarks were registered at the turn of the century.

In 1939, the company was being run by Hermann Wirtz with the support of his twin brother, Alfred, an engineer. Both brothers were Nazi party members. The company split into three related companies: Mäurer & Wirtz; Chemie Grünenthal, which famously developed and marketed the embryopathic drug Thalidomide; and Dalli-Group.

Mäurer & Wirtz now produces detergents, soap products, perfumes and cosmetics. Since 1992, products under the Betty Barclay brand have been produced under license. In 2007, the company took over the brands 4711 (and produces the brand's flagship 4711 Original Eau de Cologne), Tosca, Sir Irisch Moos and Extase from Procter & Gamble, and in 2011 the Baldessarini fragrance line, and Windsor were acquired.

Mäurer & Wirtz divided its assortment in 2010 into three business units, which will cover different market and user segments: The segment "Beauty" includes own brands and licensed brands from the low-price sector, the pillar "prestige" is in charge for luxury fragrances and under the third segment "4711" the products from the Cologne "Glockengasse" were brought together: