Looking back on five thriving decades
BRITA celebrates 50 years
From 1st July 2016 to 30th June 2017, our company celebrated 50 years of BRITA. The first BRITA products were made by hand in founder Heinz Hankammer's garden. In the years to follow, he transformed the company into an innovative leader in drinking water optimisation. Today, BRITA operates in 69 countries across five continents. Now with a new look and redesigned website, BRITA is ready to take on the future.
From 1st July 2016 to 30th June 2017, our company celebrated 50 years of BRITA. The first BRITA products were made by hand in founder Heinz Hankammer's garden. In the years to follow, he transformed the company into an innovative leader in drinking water optimisation. Today, BRITA operates in 69 countries across five continents. Now with a new look and redesigned website, BRITA is ready to take on the future.
From Germany out into the world
BRITA's history began in 1966 when company founder Heinz Hankammer had the great idea of optimising mains water in a smart and convenient way. Since then, our company, headquartered in Taunusstein, Germany, has evolved from a one-man show to an international business with 1,953 employees.
Go East
We reached a huge milestone during this period by expanding into Asia. After all, five of the world’s eight largest water filtration markets are located in the East. And we want to tap into its potential.
We reached a huge milestone during this period by expanding into Asia. After all, five of the world’s eight largest water filtration markets are located in the East. And we want to tap into its potential.
Based on BRITA’s new vision “We will change the way people drink water sustainably”, our company grew steadily during these years, and we constantly adapted our product range to fulfil the changing needs of our customers. From providing water filters for domestic use, to filter solutions for large appliances for selectors like HoReCa and vending, to integrated filter systems for appliances of reputable partners. In 2010, BRITA entered the pipe-connected water dispenser market.
Further milestones include:
From BIS to MAXTRA
In this decade, BRITA celebrated its 40th birthday and launched several innovative consumer water filter jugs. Another highlight: INTENZA, a cartridge for BRITA Integrated Solutions (BIS) applications. We also expanded our range with an innovative new filter cartridge that directly integrates into the kitchen sink.
In this decade, BRITA celebrated its 40th birthday and launched several innovative consumer water filter jugs. Another highlight: INTENZA, a cartridge for BRITA Integrated Solutions (BIS) applications. We also expanded our range with an innovative new filter cartridge that directly integrates into the kitchen sink.
Other major milestones during this period include:
A new generation
After 33 years of leading the company, founder Heinz Hankammer became chairman of the newly established supervisory board. In 1999, Markus Hankammer took over as sole CEO of the BRITA Group. By establishing a new recycling programme, BRITA set new sustainability standards.
After 33 years of leading the company, founder Heinz Hankammer became chairman of the newly established supervisory board. In 1999, Markus Hankammer took over as sole CEO of the BRITA Group. By establishing a new recycling programme, BRITA set new sustainability standards.
Other highlights during this time period include:
Entering a new world
In the early ’80s, BRITA kicked off its international sales activities. In doing so, BRITA laid the groundwork for expansion, and for the success it has today.
In the early ’80s, BRITA kicked off its international sales activities. In doing so, BRITA laid the groundwork for expansion, and for the success it has today.
Additional highlights during this era include:
A hero comes to light
Early on in the 1970s, BRITA launched the first water filter jug for home use. An event that marked the beginning of BRITA’s story of success.
Early on in the 1970s, BRITA launched the first water filter jug for home use. An event that marked the beginning of BRITA’s story of success. Initially, the entire family pitched in to help grow the company. In the years to follow, Heinz Hankammer advanced BRITA – named after his daughter – into an innovation leader for drinking water optimisation.
Milestones of this period include:
Heinz Hankammer founded BRITA
BRITA's history began in 1966 when company founder Heinz Hankammer had the great idea of optimising mains water in a convenient and simple way. In 1967, the AquaDeMat, a filter that demineralised water for car batteries at petrol stations, went into serial production for the first time.
BRITA's history began in 1966 when company founder Heinz Hankammer had the great idea of optimising the mains water in a convenient and simple way. In 1967, the AquaDeMat, a filter that demineralised water for car batteries at petrol stations, went into serial production for the first time.
Further highlights of this year include:
