2024
1887
1952
1957
1959
1960
1968
1970
1977
1989
1993
1996 - 1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004 - 2005
2006 - 2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023

1887

Syrupus Colae for the Emperor

Gustav Hell, a pharmacist from Opava, can be considered the great-grandfather of Kofola because he founded the company G. Hell and Co. at the end of 19th century. In addition to pharmaceutical products and confectionery, the Hell family also produced Syrupus Colae compositus Hell containing liquid extract of cola seeds.

Syrupus Colae for the Emperor

1952

Opava prepared for Kofola

Following the complicated post-war period and several waves of nationalisation, the national enterprise Galena Opava was established, focusing on the production of pharmaceuticals, tinctures, and cultivation of plant crops.

Opava prepared for Kofola

1957

A state assignment is issued

The highest ranking political figures announced development to create a purely Czechoslovak drink that could compete with the cola drinks from the "West". This task was assigned to the United Pharmaceutical Works (Spofa Praha/Spofa Prague); Galena was later incorporated in that company, and this is where Kofola was born.

A state assignment is issued

1959

A long-time coming

It took the team of Assist. Prof. RNDr. PhMr. Zdeněk Blažek, CSc. two years to find the right formula for KOFO syrup. Finally, they combined fourteen herbal and fruit ingredients supplemented with caffeine, into the unique formula which is still used today.

A long-time coming

1960

Kofola is born

Kofola began its historical journey and as soon as it landed on the shop shelves, everyone fell in love with it. Eventually, its consumption grew during the 1960s so much so that Czechoslovakia ran out of the herbs needed for its production and they had to be imported from abroad.

Kofola is born

1968

Logo in the shape of a coffee bean

Kofola began to conquer households, as well as public space. First slogans, eye-catchers, and mobile advertising lured people to taste Kofola. A new logo in the shape of a coffee bean appeared soon after and was used for 30 years.

Logo in the shape of a coffee bean

1970

Star of both exhibitions and the people of Czechoslovakia

Its popularity was on the rise, and the company was so successful that its annual beverage production reached 180 million litres. You could even find the word “Kofola” in song lyrics, as well as at professional conferences. Thus, when you went with your grandfather to the pub, even as a kid, you drank Kofola on tap and not only for its wonderful sweet froth...

Star of both exhibitions and the people of Czechoslovakia

1977

Kofola clinks everywhere

At that time, you could find Kofola in every village pub, townhall or post office as well as in every co-operative shop. Returnable bottles usually clinked not only in string shopping bags but also in company canteens. The refreshing drink of Kofola became part of our daily life.

Kofola clinks everywhere

1989

Kofola, put on ice

The Velvet Revolution brought about a decline in the sales of Kofola. With freedom regained, people started to demand previously foreign drinks that had become almost instantly inaccessible. The half-forgotten Kofola changed owners several times before being gradually prepared for its grand re-entrance onto the beverage centre-stage.

Kofola, put on ice

1993

Budding hopes

It was the Greek native named Kostas Samaras who gave Kofola new hope. He bought a small soda factory in Krnov, previously belonging to the state-owned company Nealko Olomouc, and started the production of carbonated beverages. All of this was a prelude to bringing Kofola back to life.

Budding hopes

1996 - 1999

Strategic development

In this period, a subsidiary transport company, now known as SANTA TRANS, was established and other companies across Czechoslovakia entered in our business portfolio. With the Jupí brand, we entered the category of syrup production; moreover, we bought the registered trademark Top Topic. By doing so, we returned the traditional grape juice drink to Czech and Slovak consumers. Last but not least, we started to produc children's drink known ase Jupík.

To make matters even more interesting, we entered the Slovak market and started the construction of a production plant in Rajecká Lesná.

Strategic development

2000

Kofola is being bottled

Eventually, we combined our production schedule with Kofola, after signing a license agreement to bottle the drink with current owner of the brand Kofola - the pharmaceutical company Ivax of Opava.

Kofola is being bottled

2001

If you love Kofola...

The Czech Republic and Slovakia were flooded with a wave of love for Kofola for the first time. The slogan “If you love her, nothing else matters ...” has won the hearts of not only those already in love. Today, this popular slogan still transmits its strong message ...love is all that matters!!!

If you love Kofola...

2002

A turning point

We managed to buy the registered trademark for the original Kofola recipe for CZK 215 million. Since then, Kofola has been in the hands of the Samaras family.

A turning point

2003

New Christmas tradition

Cult advertising appeared on TV for the first time that year and immediately (based on a heartwarming, Czech Christmas tradition, where a father and young daughter are
depicted choosing their Christmas tree in the forest, when suddenly a wildboar appears...interrupting their revelry), started to compete for viewers. The fact that everyone fell in love with thise cute
scene, as well as the piggy, has resulted in the fact that our TV ad is now one of the symbols of the Christmas time.

New Christmas tradition

2004 - 2005

Kofola Citrus and Rajec

After 40 years of Kofola's existence, its first innovation – Kofola Citrus – came into being. Moreover, we added the natural spring water Rajec to our portfolio. We have also revitalized Chito Tonic, a
traditional drink which has always proven, popular in times of bitter social changes.

Kofola Citrus and Rajec

2006 - 2008

Competition left stranded

Even though they tried their best, foreign cola drinks had a very hard struggle in our country. In short, Kofola has enjoyed more fame here than other global brands. We introduced a number of 100% natural juices and fruit drinks of the Jupí brand to the market, as well as Rajec Bylinka, natural spring water with herbal extracts of lemon balm and thyme. We also bought the Vinea trademark and started producing Kofola Sugar-Free.

Competition left stranded

2009

Kofola in full swing

Kofola has achieved the highest sales in history, even in comparison with the roaring 1970s. The company could now continue to grow. We invested 250 million Czech crowns in Rajecká Lesná to expand the production facilities in Slovakia.

 

 

Kofola in full swing

2010

Celebrating our 50th birthday

We duly celebrated our jubilee by whilst trying to remember the roots of Kofola. We attempted to figure out, how the moment of Kofola's conception might have looked like precisely. Our birthday advertisement again proved to all that love played the essential role... but the fact that love is all that
matters is, not rocket science.

Celebrating our 50th birthday

2011

Kofola in a can

We have continued enrich our beverage portfolio with drinks such as Semtex and Erektus (both energy drinks). We invested 150 million Czech crowns in hot-fill technology for the production of preservative-free fruit drinks. Then, last but not least, we finished the year with a grand victory: Jannis Samaras, CEO of Kofola, won the Entrepreneur Of The Year award.

Kofola in a can

2012

Kofola ČeskoSlovensko/CzechoSlovakia

We demolished the borders and renamed the company as Kofola ČeskoSlovensko/CzechoSlovakia, a. s. We focused on the youngest and started to produce water for babies named Rajec. Older children (and their parents) welcomed products that were newly sweetened with stevia - a natural
sugar substitute. After acquiring a majority in the UGO Freshbar network, we purchased the technology for high-pressure foodstuff processing, the so-called - pascalisation.

Kofola ČeskoSlovensko/CzechoSlovakia

2013

100% UGO

At the beginning of the year, we launched the 100% fresh fruit and vegetable juices UGO processed by pascalisation. We have become the exclusive distributor of premium French mineral waters Evian and Badoit. The Jupík drink won the award for its packaging at the Red Dot Award and Pentawards.

100% UGO

2014

Move toward into healthy trends

With the acquisition of Mangaloo company, our UGO has become the largest operator of the Freshbar network. We have added the traditional, healing mineral water Vincentka to our distribution network, and the Forbes magazine evaluated our Rajec water as the 8th best brand of Slovakia this year. Marián Šefčovič, our Sales Director, won the Manager of the Year award.

 Move toward into healthy trends

2015

Fofola

The advertising campaign , based on a cute mutt with an unfortunate overbite and subsequent lisp) promoting our 0.5l apricot-flavoured Kofola dominated the media and achieved excellent results; it was awarded, among other things, the prestigious communication efficiency award. We also won the Golden Effie award in the Czech Republic and Slovakia for that campaign. It was so popular that, to our great surprise, people began to use the lisping Kofola language in everyday life.

Kofola was floated on the Prague Stock Exchange and employees were able to become shareholders of the group. Together, we welcomed the company Radenska, a Slovenian mineral water producer, and launched an exclusive distribution of Rauch products in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Kofola and Jupí drinks were awarded the Most Trusted Brands in their category on the Czech market, and Daniel Buryš, CFO of the Kofola Group, became the CFO of the Year.

Fofola

2016

We're heading south

We entered the Croatian market, where we took over PepsiCo distribution under the Radenska brand and bought three new traditional brands from the Badel company - Voćko, Nara, and Inka. At the end of the year, we purchased the Croatian Studenac company. Advertising for “Fofola” with the dog, named Stefan became the 2016 campaign and won the gold award in the Euro Effie Awards. For the first time, the Kofola company won third place in the Czech TOP 100 business ranking awards.

We're heading south

2017

Fresh and Healthy

We have expanded the portfolio of healthy food products on the Polish market and welcomed Premium Rosa, the brand of premium natural syrups and juices. UGO's Freshbar and Salateria network bought a factory for the production of fresh salads from the Titbit company. In the autumn, we re-launched the Royal Crown Cola brand - authentic Southern Cola in its original design, sweetened only with cane sugar.

Fresh and Healthy

2018

Changes in management

Jannis Samaras left his CEO post in the Kofola ČeskoSlovensko/CzechoSlovakia company to focus entirely on the future and direction of the entire group. Daniel Buryš became the new CEO of the Czechoslovak market. The acquisitions of the year were as follows: LEROS, the manufacturer of herbal teas and mixtures of medicinal plants, and Kláštorná, the queen of mineral waters.

Changes in management

2019

We are developing the herbal segment

Under the heading of LEROS, we opened a plant for the buy of herbs in Rajecká Lesná. We are about to purchase the companies of Espresso, the manufacturer of premium coffee Café Reserva, and DILMAH, the distributor of Sri Lankan teas. We continue to develop Czechoslovak brands with strong backgrounds. We have also re-launched the Kláštorná Kalcia mineral water on the Slovak market. 

We are developing the herbal segment

2020

Going from strength to strength

Kofola enters the segment of crafted ciders and lemonades through the purchase of the Czech manufacturer F. H. Prager. It also acquires a 100% stake in Karlovarská Korunní and Ondrášovka and thus expands its portfolio with the traditional Czech brands of mineral water.

Going from strength to strength

2021

Story of Targa Florio

Even though the crisis associated with the pandemic is at its peak, we are not afraid to come up with other innovations in our portfolio. That is why we are starting to write the story of our own premium lemonade brand Targa Florio. It's made from Sicilian citrus and celebrates the legends of the eponymous motor racing.

Story of Targa Florio

2022

Towards a better tomorrow

We are creating a new mission and vision for Kofola. We are innovating in the area of sustainable packaging - thanks to the Cirkulka project, we are introducing our traditional brands (Kofola, Vine and Rajec) in returnable bottles. We are developing an incubator where (not only) startups have the opportunity to bring their ideas to life. And we have established a non-profit organisation, Kvapka Rajeckej Doliny, which focuses on water conservation measures in the Rajecka valley in Slovakia. 

Towards a better tomorrow

2023

Entering the brewing industry

We are buying a majority stake in Pivovary CZ Group, which develops the traditional beer brands Holba, Zubr and Litovel. After herbs, we also focus on the story of other ingredients. We buy apple orchards in the Úsovsko region and acquire a stake in a coffee plantation in Colombia. We introduce Prager's Kombucha from F.H. Prager and two types of tonics from Targa Florio. With the Láskyplný páteček campaign, we are launching a new era of Kofola brand communication and inspiring couples to spend more time together.

Entering the brewing industry
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