Company history

For many decades, melvo has demonstrated great expertise in the production and marketing of shoe-care products. Here, the origins in the Salamander company and proximity to shoes is particularly important and an integral component in our corporate strategy. The company's deep connection with shoes and its decades of experience on international markets has resulted in high-quality shoe-care and comfort articles that deservedly bear the brand names of Woly and Salamander.

1922

Good-looking shoes have always been essential to an attractive appearance. Shoe-care products therefore enjoy a correspondingly long tradition at melvo. Salamander already commenced the development, production and sale of shoe-care products bearing the Salamander brand name in 1922. Until the beginning of the 1970s, Salamander shoe-care products were sold by travelling salesmen.

1970er

In response to changing markets and the continuously growing business, a separate sales unit with its own field force was set up to manage this area of business.

1975

Salamander continued to expand. Shoe-care products were for the first time sold in the Benelux countries and France and thus to customers beyond Salamander's exclusive sales network and its own shops.

1988

melvo Vertriebsgesellschaft mbH, a subsidiary of Salamander AG, took over the sale of shoe-care products. This step was taken in response to the great market potential that shoe-care products presented.

1991

melvo acquired the long-standing Swiss Woly brand from Lever Sutter. International expansion, particularly in Europe, as well as in Asia, thus complemented with the Woly brand.

2002

Salamander shoe-care celebrated its 80^th anniversary! This birthday was taken as the opportunity to transfer the manufacture of Salamander AG's shoe-care products to melvo Vertriebsgesellschaft mbh. The sales company was thus transformed into a manufacturing company bearing the new name of melvo GmbH.

2004

melvo GmbH became freestanding from the Salamander group and has since then existed as an independent medium-sized enterprise.

2009

melvo GmbH continued its efforts towards internationalisation: The subsidiary "OOO Salamander WOLY RUS" was established in Russia in order to operate even more closely to end consumers' and retailers' requirements in this important market. The "MV Shoecare Private Ltd." joint venture was also established in India - a sales market with great potential for growth.