Mäurer & Wirtz

Maurer + Wirtz (M&W) is the fragrance and cosmetics division of Dalli Werke - Mäurer + Wirtz, a family owned company, now run by the fifth generation of the Wirtz family.

The company was founded in Stolberg in 1845 by Michael Mäurer and Andreas August Wirtz as a manufacturer of soaps. Since 1990 the Dalli Werke and M&W divisions have operated as separate companies, with Dalli Werke concentrating on detergent products and M&W concentrating on cosmetics and fragrance products.

In 1938 Tabac Original was launched as a soap. Eau de Cologne, Aftershave and Electric Pre-Shave were added to the range 21 years later in 1959. Today the Tabac range consists of a very extensive range of male grooming essentials

In 1972 M&W acquired Cosmeurop and merged this with Savonerrie Wagner, to form Cosmeurop S.A.

1975 sees the creation of Parfums Loris Azzaro, with the now discontinued feminine Azzaro, and in 1978 the classic masculine fragrance Azzaro Pour Homme. This division was acquired by Clarins Paris in 1995.

At the end of 2006, M&W acquired four ex-Muelhen's brands from Procter & Gamble. These included Sir Irisch Moos, Extase, Tosca and the 'original' eau de cologne, 4711.