100 years of Collonil – a story of success

The story of COLLONIL is a true Berlin story. The foundation of the company´s success was situated in two small rooms in the Köpenicker Straße. After the business had begun to flourish, all three founders – Karl Esslen and the Salzenbrodt-brothers – expanded the company and moved in to a location situated in the Schlesische Straße 12. They moved once again in 1921, this time to Mühlenbeck which was situated towards the eastern part of Berlin and about 5 kilometres away. After World War II, the Salzenbrodt-brothers decided to relocate to the western part of Berlin because economical success there was a lot more promising for creative business men like them. The Esslen-familiy did not follow the Salzenbrodt-brothers and so Collonil became a true family business which was transformed to be the Salzenbrodt GmbH & Co. KG. Because a rental agreement expired, the business had to move one last time in 1952. The head office of the company was then established in Wittenau, near Berlin, on a 14.000 m² factory site. Until today, this is where the company´s headquarters and the production facilities are situated. Collonil also operates COLLONIL WIEN, COLLONIL FRANCE and COLLONIL APS DENMARK. Although COLLONIL products are successfully distributed internationally today, COLLONIL attaches great importance to the fact that, even after 100 years of business, their products are "Made in Germany" – a feature that stands for the products´ highest quality standards and reliability. Comprehensive expertise, latest technologies and high quality raw materials are the features that make COLLONIL stand out. COLLONIL´s superior shoe and leather care is appreciated in more than 82 countries – that makes it an almost worldwide distribution. The export to eastern Europe in particular is growing rapidly, but also in Australia, Taiwan and the in the Arabic parts of the world there is an increased demand for COLLONIL products.