Who are we?
Dr. Carl Soldan, the great-grandfather of our managing partner, Perry Soldan, laid the foundation stone for our family enterprise and our strong brands 120 years ago.
The German pharmacist and medical officer had his finger on the pulse right from the start, consistently developing surprisingly good products. His impressive ability for innovation naturally found an outlet in confectionery, with Em‑eukal® herbal drops leading the way.
For generations this brand has been mixing love with skill and adding enthusiasm for natural flavour and premium quality - a unique blend which still has the ability to this day to satisfy millions of people.
Do you want to know more about our family enterprise? Be welcome to explore our history for over 120 years….
1871 - 1899: The start of a sweet story
1871
Carl August Otto Soldan is born in Munich. At the age of 26, Carl Soldan qualifies as a pharmacist at the University of Erlangen. Alongside his work as a pharmacist, Dr. Carl Soldan campaigned for the health of his fellow human beings. During the First World War, as a volunteer of the Red Cross, he donated a hospital train which had the task of caring for the wounded and transporting them out of the war zones.
1899
Dr Carl Soldan settles in the southern German city of Nuremberg where he sets up in business as a dispensing chemist also selling perfumes and toiletries. He also starts our family enterprise Dr. C. SOLDAN® GmbH. The chemists work in the front building while the first batch of quality cough drops rolls off the production line in the building at the back.
1923: Nur echt mit der Fahne
The year Em‑eukal® is born - with its distinctive birthmark from the moment of its creation: the flag. Em‑eukal® is sold in pharmacies and the specialist drugstores typical of the era.
Find out more1923 - 1925: Em‑eukal® is born
Dr. Carl Soldan creates our classic cough drop. Now, you can hardly imagine any pharmacies and medicine cupboards without the little cough drop in its green wrapper and red and white banner with the words “Nur echt mit der Fahne" (only the original and genuine product comes with the flag). He worked away at his recipe in the backyard of his dispensing chemist’s on Hefnersplatz in Nuremberg.
Our original Em‑eukal cough drop has been soothingly effective since 1923. Two years later in 1925, the brand was registered as a trademark at the German Patent Office. Its name was then written “Emeukal”. How did it get this name? The “Em” stands for menthol and “eukal” is the shortened form of eucalyptus.
Find out more1929 - 1931: A revolutionary takes over the helm
1929
The work of the visionary entrepreneur is unbroken. He acquires a gingerbread and candy confectionery in Nuremberg. After making structural alterations, he moves the Em‑eukal cough drop production line into the building and adds other specialities to the company's range, such as Easter eggs which are supplied in sweet jars.
1931
Dr Carl Soldan's son Hermann takes over at the age of 28 after the death of his father. He applies himself immediately to expanding the confectionery production where his father left off. All Em‑eukal® paper bags are printed in the company's own print shop from now on. Printing the names of the stockists on the products as well is an innovative move.
1932: Bavarian, malty, chunky, delicious
We make our original cult product for the first time: "aecht Bayrischer Blockmalz" - genuine Bavarian malt sugar herbal drops boiled over an open fire and broken into chunks.
Find out more1948 - 1950: Flavour hits the mark again
1948
Production of Em‑eukal® cough drops is resumed after the turmoil of war, and business is expanded with zeal and determination.
1950
"Nur echt mit der Fahne®" runs the strapline indicating that only the original Em‑eukal® products come with the flag. Our premium products make history as doctors prescribe Em‑eukal® cough drops to German miners in the 1950s to help with bronchial complaints. The cough drop wrapper comes with a white and red flag. The ends of the flag stick out to preserve hygiene during unwrapping.
1959 - 1962: more space - more herbal drops
1959
The Nuremberg site no longer offers sufficient production capacity for the Em‑eukal® cough drops. Hermann Soldan buys a plot of land in nearby Adelsdorf with its own water source.
A new low-rise production building is constructed and fitted with state-of-the-art equipment. Production is relocated.
1962
We are issued with the licence to manufacture pharmaceuticals under the German law on drugs (AMG).
1972: An addition to the Em‑eukal family
Dr. C. SOLDAN® launches the "Kids Em‑eukal®" vitamin-enriched cough drop for children. Still today - 50 years later - five carefully selected vitamins and prime natural ingredients are delivering the quality trusted by parents with absolute confidence according to their feedback.
Kids Em‑eukal for the international market was introduced in October 2014.
1972 - 1982: A confectioner seeks to provide variety
1976
We broaden our range by adding the brand Tex-Schmelz. We still sell the glucose with the special melting sensation exclusively with our own brands in pharmacies and drugstores.
1982
Felix Soldan takes over the family business after the death of his father Hermann to head up the third generation of management. Felix Soldan’s creativity and enthusiasm for trying out new recipes made its mark on the family business. Under his management, a wide range of flavours and products came onto the market and our brand world became more colourful.
1989 - 1992: Em‑eukal can also be sweet without sugar
1989 - 1992
Dr. C. SOLDAN® adds the "sugar-free" version to the Em‑eukal® range, making it the first company to supply drops with the sugar substitute isomalt. We have since specialised in making sugar-free drops which cater for the contemporary market and contain valuable vitamins and minerals as well as being a pleasure to eat.
2003 - 2004: The little (gummy) bears are let loose
2003 - 2004
We launch our fruit-juice gummy bears under the name "Apothekers Bärengarten" which are now available as Original BÄRENGARTEN® and a true delight for gummy bear lovers of all ages.
We are successful in gaining "Bio" organic certification.
We are the first confectioner to make products with the sweetener sucralose.
2005: Perry Soldan
Perry Soldan takes charge of the company at the age of 37 after the death of his father Felix Soldan.
2008 - 2011: The feel-good cough drop
2008 - 2011
Em‑eukal becomes the feel-good cough drop. We brought the package design up to date, realigned the range and finally added some new creations.
Em‑eukal Frühlingsgenuss and Em‑eukal Herbstgenuss come onto the market – impulse buys for retailers and plenty of feel-good indulgence for consumers.
We introduce the Em‑eukal flavour of the year Ginger-Orange for the first time – equally popular among retailers and consumers right from the start.
2012 - 2013: Years for celebrating!
2012
40 years of Kinder Em‑eukal – if that’s not a reason to celebrate! From pharmacies and drugstores to supermarkets – the Kinder Em‑eukal fans of all ages see anniversary products, competitions and other campaigns wherever they look.
2013
It is time to welcome a new member to our brand family by the name of Rheila® - the original since 1924. The liquorice brand has emerged from its makeover with a new modern look, promising genuine pleasure for those with an acquired taste.
"Em‑eukal® - Nur echt mit der Fahne®" - only the original and genuine product comes with the flag: the most famous invention of our founder Dr Carl Soldan is celebrating its 90th anniversary! The flag is the trademark of the drops and has been a seal of authenticity since 1923, protecting them from copycat products. And to this day the Em‑eukal® Classic is made according to the original recipe.
2014: We are growing. Together!
The administration and production arms of the company are now back together at one and the same site in Adelsdorf after 54 years.
2015: Em‑eukal to chew
We introduce the Em‑eukal Gumdrops. Valuable essential oils combined with high-quality natural ingredients are pleasant to chew and soothingly effective too.
Find out more2015 - 2020: We are innovative
2015
The medicinal product Em‑eukal PRO comes onto the market – based on the knowledge and expertise of our family enterprise. The throat pastilles have a special throat protection complex with acacia and have a soothing effect for tickly throats, hoarseness or sore throats.
2015
Kinder Em‑eukal is also now available in chew form. The Kinder Em‑eukal Gumdrops will win you over with five carefully selected vitamins, natural flavouring and refined herbal extracts. They taste good and they do you good!
2017
Our confectioners pick up on the veggie-trend – and manufacture the Em‑eukal new product with the purely plant-based gelling agent pectin. A delight to chew for vegetarians and vegans. Any time and any place.
2018
For the first time, we present a dietary supplement exclusive to pharmacies: the Original BÄRENGARTEN multivitamin jelly bears. The premium product suitable for all ages has reduced sugar and strengthens the immune system with nine high-dose vitamins.
2019: A refreshing side to Em‑eukal
We launch a completely new product category with Em‑eukal Frische Pastillen – only available in pharmacies. Since 2020, five varieties sold in attractive metal tins deliver long-lasting fresh breath and effectively cater for every taste thanks to their individual intensity.
If it's delicious, it's a winner!
Our colourful and diverse brand world is just waiting to be explored by you!
The whole world of Soldan
