Company history - innovative by tradition

The history of Werner & Mertz GmbH started in the 1860s. In 1867, the "Gebrüder Werner" wax goods factory was founded. In 1878, Georg Mertz added his name to the business, and since that time the company has been in business as Werner & Mertz.

Changing the market with innovations, increasing customer use by new products and reducing environmental impact via optimized formulations are part of our good company tradition. Examples from the company's history illustrate our innovative power:

In 1901 a completely new style of shoe polish based on wax is developed. This marks the beginning of the successful Erdal brand. First-class quality and the convenient metal can make the breakthrough. Still today, the Erdal frog remains the company’s unmistakable trademark.
In the beginning of the 1950s the time of reconstruction brings fundamental changes in home building and interior design. Werner & Mertz meet the changed demand with the development of new brands like REX car care, tuba carpet care, tarax, and tofix toilet cleaner. The subsidiary plant in Hallein/Austria starts production in 1954 and becomes an important interface for markets in South East Europe.
In 1969 Apesin is introduced, offering a combination cleaning, care, and disinfection agent for large-scale customers. The product revolutionizes and simplifies cleaning care in hospitals, retirement homes, and commercial kitchens. Still today, Apesin is a successful product of the professional division of tana Chemie GmbH which was founded in 1971.
In 1973 the Emsal brand eliminates waxing: Emsal is the first product to combine cleaner with polish and causes quite a stir in the market.
In 1982 Erdal shoe polish revolutionizes the shoe care market with a self-shining agent
In 1986 the Frosch brand writes a new chapter in Werner & Mertz' chronology of innovation: For more than twenty years Frosch is the brand for powerful cleaning at home and for protection of man and his environment. Werner & Mertz is committed to relieving the strain on our environment with other products: Since 1998, the shoe care range has also been available with solvent-free formulations.
Werner & Mertz introduces environmental management and has its production facilities monitored regularly from 2003. Environmental topics are addressed using a holistic approach: Our commitment to sustainability means ecologically consistent, economically value-added and socially responsible.
In 2009, Werner & Mertz starts construction of its ecologically exemplary headquarters in Mainz. The award-winning building is inaugurated in October 2010.