1885 – 1948: Innovative beginnings
In 1885, Albert Boehringer purchased a small tartar factory in the Rhine-Hessian village of Nieder-Ingelheim. On 31 July, his company was included in the commercial register as “Albert Böhringer, chem. Fabrik vom 1. Aug. 1885 ab”.
Albert Boehringer (1861 – 1939) was the grandson of Christian Friedrich Boehringer (1791 – 1867) who started a family company with his partner Christian Gotthold Engelmann (1787 – 1841) in 1817 in Stuttgart.
In 1885, Albert Boehringer purchased a small tartar factory in the Rhine-Hessian village of Nieder-Ingelheim. On 31 July, his company was included in the commercial register as “Albert Böhringer, chem. Fabrik vom 1. Aug. 1885 ab”. This laid the foundation for the present-day company Boehringer Ingelheim. He initially employed 28 people to manufacture tartaric acid salts used by pharmacies and dyeing works. Demand for this product surged in the first few years as fizzy lemonade and baking powder become popular.
In 1893, Boehringer made the ground-breaking discovery that lactic acid can be produced in mass quantities by means of bacteria, a discovery that saw the company pioneer large-scale "biotech" production. This new process, combined with the high demand for lactic acid in the dyeing, leather, textile and food industry, saw the company become the leading manufacturer of this agent.
By the time of Albert Boehringer’s death in 1939, the company employed 1,500 people. His two sons Albert jr. and Ernst Boehringer as well as his son-in-law Julius Liebrecht took over the family company, having served on the company's Board of Directors since the 1920s.
Research and development continued during the Second World War, although the production of organic acids (tartaric acid, lactic acid, citric acid) was temporarily suspended. A number of new agents were introduced during and after the war.
Milestones during this period
1885: Albert Boehringer purchases tartar factory in Ingelheim
Albert Boehringer purchases a small tartar factory in Ingelheim am Rhein. On 31 July, his company was included in the commercial register as “Albert Böhringer, chem. Fabrik vom 1. Aug. 1885 ab”.
Work begins in Nieder-Ingelheim on 1 August.
1886: Production of tartaric acid begins
Albert Boehringer launches the production of tartaric acid for use in the food industry (e.g. in baking powder and fizzy lemonade).
1893: Company renamed C. H. Boehringer Sohn
Following the death of his older brother Ernst (1860 – 1892), Albert Boehringer renames the company, with effect from 1 January, C. H. Boehringer Sohn in honour of his father, Christoph Heinrich Boehringer.
1893: Process for manufacturing lactic acid discovered
During experiments for producing citric acid, unwanted fermentation results in the formation of lactic acid. Instead of aborting these experiments, Albert Boehringer develops the process with the aim of producing lactic acid on an industrial scale.
1893: First protected company logo registered
The first protected company logo is registered: the letters CHBS are intertwined in an oval with the circumscription C. H. Boehringer Sohn.
1895: Lactic acid manufactured on industrial scale
Lactic acid is manufactured on an industrial scale, proving highly successful on the market over the following years and making C. H. Boehringer Sohn (CHBS) one of the pioneers of biotechnological processes in industrial applications.
1895: Patent registered for baking powder manufacturing process
The company registers its first patent for a new process for manufacturing lactic-acid-based baking powder.
1902: First health insurance scheme for employees
Albert Boehringer founds the company’s first health insurance scheme.
1905: Company logo displays imperial palace of Ingelheim for the first time
For the first time, the company logo displays a stylised motif of the imperial palace of Ingelheim.
1905: Extraction of alkaloids begins
In search of new paths in chemistry, C. H. Boehringer develops an economical process for extracting alkaloids such as morphine, cocaine and codeine. The substances are sold to pharmacies and the emerging pharmaceutical industry, or they are exported abroad.
1905: Benefit fund for retired employees
A benefit fund is set up for retired employees.
1907 - 1909: Construction of first homes for employees
The first homes for company employees are built close to Bahnhofstraße.
1909: Founding of benefit fund for disabled employees
The “Christoph-und-Mathilde-Boehringer-Stiftung” is founded to provide support for disabled employees.
1910: 25th anniversary of C. H. Boehringer Sohn
The company celebrates its first major milestone: the 25th anniversary of C. H. Boehringer Sohn (CHBS). CHBS now employs 156 people.
1910: Introduction of 14 days' annual holiday entitlement for employees
As of 1910, all employees benefited from 14 days' paid annual holiday entitlement – with an allowance for travel expenses – graduated according to years of service and at graduated intervals, a scheme that was unusual at the time. The company owner also insisted that this holiday be taken, and it was mandatory for employees to send a postcard from their holiday destinations.
1911: Albert Boehringer appointed councillor of commerce
One year after the company’s 25th anniversary, the company owner celebrates his 50th birthday and, shortly afterwards, receives the title “Großherzoglich Hessischer Kommerzienrat” in recognition of his services to the chemical industry.
1912: Introduction of company pension scheme for employees
Employees with more than 20 years' service are now entitled to a company pension.
1912: Founding of plant fire brigade
The plant fire brigade is founded.
1912: C. H. Boehringer Sohn manufactures its first pharmaceutical speciality (Laudanon®)
C. H. Boehringer Sohn launches its first drug, Laudanon®, an analgesic based on six opium alkaloids. Its widespread market launch takes place in 1915.
1915: Foundation for war bereaved set up
The “Albert-und-Helene-Boehringer-Stiftung” for the war bereaved is founded.
1915: Robert Boehringer manages C. H. Boehringer Sohn
While Albert Boehringer is away at war until 1917, his nephew Robert Boehringer (1884 – 1974) takes over the running of CHBS.
1917: Founding of research department and start of production of bile acid
The research department is founded on the initiative of the chemist and future Nobel Prize winner for chemistry Prof. Heinrich Wieland (1877 – 1957), a cousin of Albert Boehringer. This department is responsible for all research and development activities in the company’s acid, alkaloid and pharmaceutical sector and forms the cornerstone for Boehringer Ingelheim’s now extensive research activities.
The partnership between Prof. Heinrich Wieland and his brother, the pharmacologist Prof. Hermann Wieland, began way back at the start of the century.
Following the Wielands’ research activities, production of bile acid and its derivatives begins in 1917.
1917: Introduction of lunch for employees
Meals are issued to employees for the first time.
1919: Albert Jr. Boehringer joins company's Board of Directors
The founder’s son, Albert jr. Boehringer (1891 – 1960), joins the company's Board of Directors.
1920: Julius Liebrecht joins company's Board of Directors
The founder’s son-in-law, Julius Liebrecht (1891 – 1974), joins the company's Board of Directors.
1920: Launch of Cadechol®
The company launches the cardiovascular drug Cadechol®, a camphor product rendered water soluble with bile acid. It is the first product derived from Professor Wieland’s work.
1921: Launch of Lobelin®
Prof. Heinrich Wieland and his brother, Prof. Hermann Wieland, manage to isolate the pure alkaloid lobelin from the plant “Lobelia inflata”. This is marketed that same year as Lobelin®.
1923: Branch factory established in Hamburg-Moorfleet
A new production plant for manufacturing alkaloids is established in Hamburg-Moorfleet. From 1925, the basic elements of drugs, including caffeine, morphine and codeine, are produced at this plant.
1923: Launch of Bilaval®
The bile product Bilaval® is launched.
1924: Launch of new company logo
A new company logo is launched.
1927: Ernst Boehringer joins company's Board of Directors
The founder's son, Ernst Boehringer (1896-1965), joins the company's Board of Directors.
1927: Prof. Heinrich Wieland awarded Nobel Prize for chemistry
Prof. Heinrich Wieland is awarded the Nobel Prize for chemistry for his work investigating the composition of bile acids and related compounds.
1927: Launch of Codyl®
The antitussive Codyl® is launched.
1928: Purchase of Dr. Karl Thomä & Cie.
To increase his opium share at the German Opium Convention, councillor of commerce Albert Boehringer took over the company Dr. Karl Thomä, based in Winnenden near Stuttgart, for 370,000 gold marks.
1929: Launch of Acedicon®
The antitussive Acedicon® is launched.
1930: Founding of baking and food department (BN)
1930 sees the founding of the baking and food department.
1931: Launch of Sympatol®
1931 sees the launch of Sympatol®, which is designed to improve circulation and is a derivative of adrenaline.
1933: Production of citric acid begins
Work begins on the production of citric acid from citrate calcium for the foodstuffs, drinks and tobacco industry.
1935: 50th anniversary
C.H. Boehringer Sohn celebrates its 50th anniversary.
1936: Large-scale synthesis of Lobelin®
Work begins on the large-scale synthesis of Lobelin® and construction of the company’s first research laboratory – the Heinrich-Wieland-Bau – begins in Ingelheim (the laboratory opens in 1938).
1939: Death of company founder Albert Boehringer
The company founder, Albert Boehringer, dies on 11 March aged 78, which means that responsibility for company management now passes to the second generation. His sons Albert and Ernst Boehringer and his son-in-law Julius Liebrecht take over the management of C. H. Boehringer Sohn.
1941: Launch of respiratory product Aludrin®
The respiratory product Aludrin® is launched, breaking new ground in the treatment of asthma. This respiratory agent would later pave the way for betablockers.
1942: Large-scale production of synthetic caffeine in Ingelheim
A new plant is constructed in Ingelheim for the large-scale production of synthetic caffeine, and enters production on 15 November.
1943: Alternative plant set up in Biberach an der Riss
On 5 August, the German Reich authorities for Chemistry issue a requirement that C. H. Boehringer Sohn is to construct alternative plants for the manufacture of Sympatol®, Aludrin®, Adrianol®, Lobelin® and Papaverin®. It was decided to locate the plant in Biberach an der Riss, where Sympatol® and Lobelin® will soon be manufactured.
1945: Closing of factory gates in Ingelheim
On 16 March, C. H. Boehringer Sohn closes its factory gates in Ingelheim. On 28 May, work resumes at the Ingelheim plant.
1946: Re-establishment of Dr. Karl Thomae GmbH
Dr. Karl Thomae GmbH in Biberach an der Riss is re-established with a workforce of 70 people. This also marks the launch of the analgesic Thomapyrin®, which remains a big seller to this day.
1946: Founding of CELA
CELA Landwirtschaftliche Chemikalien GmbH is founded, initially producing pesticides to protect against potato beetle plague.
1948: Founding of Olivin
Olivin, which sells cosmetic products, is founded.