Yulius Maggi Miller, founder of the company Date of Birth: 09.10.1846 Country: Switzerland

1. Biography of Michael Johannes Julius Maggi
2. Early Career in Milling
3. The Invention of Maggi Cubes
4. Expansion into Ready-Made Soups
5. Maggi's Merger with Nestle

Biography of Michael Johannes Julius Maggi

Michael Johannes Julius Maggi, the founder of the company, was born on October 9, 1846, in the Swiss village of Frauenfeld. He was the fifth of six children of miller Michael Maggi and his wife Sophie.

Early Career in Milling

At a young age, Julius Maggi developed an interest in milling. By the age of 21, he held the position of deputy director at the most modern milling enterprise in Europe, located in Budapest. Two years later, he moved to Kemthal, where he managed his father's mill that he inherited. In 1872, Julius Maggi established the first company, "Julius Maggi & Co.," in Kemthal. In 1874, he acquired two more mills in Schaffhausen and Zurich, becoming one of the largest milling magnates in Switzerland.

The Invention of Maggi Cubes

In 1883, Julius Maggi discovered a way to preserve the flavorful golden meat broth in a dried and pressed form. The proud inventor gave his creation the name "Golden Maggi Cube" (Maggi Kub d'Or) and established a small production. The popularity of this new product, which allowed for the preparation of delicious soups in minutes, rivaled the taste and aroma of soups made from fresh meat. In late 1884, Maggi released its first product made from ground legumes, marking the inception of long-lasting food production.

Expansion into Ready-Made Soups

Julius Maggi's innovations did not stop there. He learned from Fridolin Schuler that vegetables retain their nutritional qualities when dried. With the modernization of his mill, Julius Maggi started producing vegetable flour, which led to the creation of the first-ever instant vegetable soup in 1886. These soups were packaged in sachets and initially offered in three varieties. In the same year, the limited liability company "Julius Maggi & Co." was established. Soon, the company opened offices in major European cities such as Paris, Milan, Prague, and Amsterdam, as well as warehouses in Berlin, Vienna, London, and New York.

Maggi's Merger with Nestle

The beginning of World War II and the full state control over the economy once again slowed down the company's growth. However, a new milestone in Julius Maggi's company history occurred in 1947 when it merged with the Nestle Corporation.