Founded over 133 years ago, the company has developed from a small corset factory to a global lingerie enterprise. Now active in over 50 countries worldwide, it has its own distribution companies throughout Europe. The women’s lingerie collections are created at the brand’s design centre in Mannheim. In 2015, the company was taken over by the Palero Group. Together with the new owner, the brand’s strengths are being built up and the success story of the company continued with its focus on the best materials, high quality production and perfect fit for the legendary comfort factor. The ranges include clean, modern lingerie for everyday needs, sensual lingerie accented with lace and embroidery, and functional shapewear.

The company goes international – through activities in North America, Scandinavia, the United Arab Emirates and Russia. Production in the company’s own factories in Hungary guarantees the highest quality standards and social responsibility for all employees. Some 6,500 retailers and 1,000 employees across the globe – 130 based in Mannheim – belong to the international company family.

In the 90s, bodies and lingerie become articles of fashion. The trend towards body accentuating cuts and deeper necklines contribute to this, but there’s another important factor: there are more and more young women with large busts proud of their curves and their beautiful cleavages. In addition to fashion looks – from sporty to extravagantly decorated models – customers are placing greater value on a well-fitting bra. This is precisely the company’s strength.

A Swiss investment group takes over the company in 1981 and establishes an INTERNATIONAL AG in Wettingen near Zürich. The company is a 100% subsidiary. Production takes place in the company’s own factories in Hungary and Poland.

The company invests in love and romantics. In line with the era’s biggest blockbuster film “Love Story”, the company develops the Love Story bra which comes with an exclusive gift tag. Even today, the film is still one of the most profitable of all times – and the company too is just as delicate and seductive as it was then.

The lingerie industry in West Germany experiences a huge upswing at the beginning of the 60s. It has over 25,000 employees – 2,000 in this company alone. The miracle fibre Lycra, the first tights and the mini skirt are permanent features in the fashion industry. The company is set on an expansion course. It celebrates its 75th anniversary and offers its customers over 250 models to choose from.

It is the era of the economic miracle. After the war, the company also embraces the spirit of optimism. But not just in Germany. The company’s attraction grows internationally and by the end of the 50s, it is already exporting to over 50 countries!

The businessman Richard Greiling takes over the company from the Jewish founding family Herbst, who are forced to leave the country in 1936 under the growing pressure of persecution. The company survives the upheaval of war and currency reform in a financially healthy state, despite the destruction of the production factories towards the end of the war.

The 20s are the golden years for this company. By the end of the 20s, the company has 660 employees and everyone is talking about its lingerie.

The demand for the new and attractive products is so large after five years that the company expands and moves to Mannheim, which has remained the company’s headquarters to this day.

Eugen J. Herbst lays the foundations for the company’s history when he establishes a corset factory in Bad Rappenau with some 10 employees. This is an innovation in Germany from Germany, because till then, corsets primarily came from France.