History

A family-owned enterprise with a 60 years’ tradition.

The 1940s

End of 40s	Kurt Speil (chemist) starting research activities with cosmetic products and essential oils at Göttingen and Vienna universities.
March 1949	Foundation of the Speil enterprise by Kurt Speil (laboratories and factory at Grub castle, Obertraun). Production and sales of resin soaps, chemical materials, mild detergents, ointments and cosmetic care products. Intense research with essential oils and development of a steam distillation plant.

The 1950s

Beginning of the 50s	Construction of the then biggest steam distillation plant (in-house development) located in Hallstatt.
1950	Production of conifer oils: pine needle oil, mountain pine and silver fir oils and beginning of the cooperation with the Laboratory of the Austrian Pharmaceutical Association and the Federal Institute for chemical and pharmaceutical investigations (Vienna).
1951 - 1953	Production of other essential oils: silver fir cone oil, juniper berry oil, rosemary oil. From this time on, the Speil enterprise was one of the biggest producers of conifer essential oils. Starting cooperation with pharmaceutical wholesalers.
January 1957	Production of rubbing alcohol and skin cream.
1958	Relocation of the business premises to Grundlsee.
1959	On demand of the Austrian regional hospitals, bath additives with essentials oils were developed that avoid oil residues in the bath tub. Start of close cooperation with the Austrian Kneipp union.

The 1960s

June 1960	First sale of essential spa oils.
August 1961	First sale of essence spa oils. Cooperation with the research institute (Arzneimittelforschungsanstalt, Kinderspitalgasse, Vienna).
1964	Research and manufacture of medicinal products for the skin and foot care by order of well-known companies.
February 1967	Research and manufacture of medicinal products for the skin and foot care by order of well-known companies
August 1969	Development and manufacture of special hay essence on request of the Austrian regional hospitals.

The 1970s

1971	Relocation of the head office to Lower Austria (Tabormühle, Frauendorf).
May1974	Development and production of sauna essences made of essential oils.
February 1976	Manufacture of mud aerosols.
October 1976	Development and manufacture of massage oils.

The 1980s

July 1980	Manufacture of elderflower blossom essence.
May 1983	Development and production of vitamin-rich massage and skin creams.
August 1988	Development and manufacture of other anti-rheumatism bathes.

The 1990s

August 1990	Manufacture of inhalation oils.
June 1995	Takeover of the Speil Naturkosmetik – Natürliche Wirkstoffe company by daughter Ingrid Speil (chemist and distiller master).
1998	Production of combined bathes.

The 2000s

April 2003	Reconstruction and modernization of the production facilities. Development of other pacifier and combined bath essences. Extension of the product range by medical plant oils and essential oils in small packages.
January 2008	Development of other massage products based on medical plant oils.

The 2010s

January 2010	Takeover of the Speil Naturkosmetik – Natürliche Wirkstoffe company by daughter Jasmin Speil (molecular biologist and chemist).
2012	Reconstruction and modernization of the laboratories. Development of specific essential oil mixtures.
2014	New company name: Speil Kur- & Wellnessprodukte
2014/2015	Extension of the product range on customers’ demand.
2016/2017	Development and design of a new product layout and a new product line.