Dr Michael Babor founded the company in 1956 as something that today would be called a science start-up. The chemist Babor had developed a revolutionary cleanser for the skin. In 1962, the entrepreneurial family around Dr Leo Vossen acquired a stake in ‘Dr B. bio-medical cosmetics’, brought the company to Aachen and turned the scientist’s idea into the global BABOR brand.
HISTORY
INNOVATION AS A FAMILY TRADITION
Dr Michael Babor founded the company in 1956 as something that today would be called a science start-up. The chemist Babor had developed a revolutionary cleanser for the skin. In 1962, the entrepreneurial family around Dr Leo Vossen acquired a stake in ‘Dr B. bio-medical cosmetics’, brought the company to Aachen and turned the scientist’s idea into the global BABOR brand.
Vossen’s daughter Jutta went to Vienna to complete a commercial and cosmetics training. With this expertise, she joined the company: in 1978, Jutta Kleine-Tebbe set up the ‘Application Technology’, a specialist department that tests every new product in in a professional treatment, strengthening the importance of expert application. In the 1990s, she pushed ahead with internationalization – her father had meanwhile retired due to illness. In 2000, she became Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board, supported by her brother Leo P. Vossen. Together, they lead the company into the new millennium and accompanied its launch into the digital age.
In 2013, Dr Martin Grablowitz, son of Jutta Kleine-Tebbe, and Isabel Bonacker, daughter of Leo P. Vossen, join the Supervisory Board and take over as Chairman and Chairwomen in 2014. Since then, the company has increasingly opened to new business areas. In addition to its flagship brand, BABOR, private labels are becoming more important.
HISTORY
INNOVATION AS A FAMILY TRADITION
Dr Michael Babor founded the company in 1956 as something that today would be called a science start-up. The chemist Babor had developed a revolutionary cleanser for the skin. In 1962, the entrepreneurial family around Dr Leo Vossen acquired a stake in ‘Dr B. bio-medical cosmetics’, brought the company to Aachen and turned the scientist’s idea into the global BABOR brand.
Vossen’s daughter Jutta went to Vienna to complete a commercial and cosmetics training. With this expertise, she joined the company: in 1978, Jutta Kleine-Tebbe set up the ‘Application Technology’, a specialist department that tests every new product in in a professional treatment, strengthening the importance of expert application. In the 1990s, she pushed ahead with internationalization – her father had meanwhile retired due to illness. In 2000, she became Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board, supported by her brother Leo P. Vossen. Together, they lead the company into the new millennium and accompanied its launch into the digital age.
In 2013, Dr Martin Grablowitz, son of Jutta Kleine-Tebbe, and Isabel Bonacker, daughter of Leo P. Vossen, join the Supervisory Board and take over as Chairman and Chairwomen in 2014. Since then, the company has increasingly opened to new business areas. In addition to its flagship brand, BABOR, private labels are becoming more important.
Vossen’s daughter Jutta went to Vienna to complete a commercial and cosmetics training. With this expertise, she joined the company: in 1978, Jutta Kleine-Tebbe set up the ‘Application Technology’, a specialist department that tests every new product in in a professional treatment, strengthening the importance of expert application. In the 1990s, she pushed ahead with internationalization – her father had meanwhile retired due to illness. In 2000, she became Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board, supported by her brother Leo P. Vossen. Together, they lead the company into the new millennium and accompanied its launch into the digital age.
In 2013, Dr Martin Grablowitz, son of Jutta Kleine-Tebbe, and Isabel Bonacker, daughter of Leo P. Vossen, join the Supervisory Board and take over as Chairman and Chairwomen in 2014. Since then, the company has increasingly opened to new business areas. In addition to its flagship brand, BABOR, private labels are becoming more important.
1956
Founded as ‘Bio-medical Cosmetics’ by biochemist Dr. Michael Babor. Invention of the first product: HY-ÖL.
The advertising poster reflects the philosophy that is still valid today. First company headquarters in a flat on ‘Sülzgürtel’ in Cologne. One of the first product series. In the centre: HY-ÖL, still a bestseller today. .
1960
The Vossen family joins the company and brings it to Aachen (1962). Dr Leo Vossen’s pharmaceutical expertise leads to distribution via cosmetics institutes. The Vossen family takes over the company in 1965.
Headquarters in a former cloth factory in Turpinstraße in Aachen. Delivery van in the 1960s. Today they are 100% electric.
1970
Pioneer of ampoule technology. The company moves to Neuenhofstrasse in Aachen (1977)
Entrance to the headquarters in Neuenhofstraße.
Some of the first ampoules, inspired by Dr Leo Vossen’s medical background. In the 1970s, production was almost entirely manufactory.
1980
First training center for the BABOR brand. FEMIA becomes part of the BABOR BEAUTY GROUP (1989)
The training center was introduced by Jutta Kleine-Tebbe, 2nd generation of the owner and trained beautician.Deep understanding of skin needs results in product lines that are customized for different skin conditions.
1990
The 2nd generation of the owner family takes over the Board. Opening of the first BABOR Spa in the USA. Pioneering work in water microfiltration and refill jars.
Water used during production is purified and completely demineralized for use in the products.
2000
Extensive expansion at the headquarters in Aachen.
Headquarters in 2004.
2010
The third generation of the owner family joins the Board. Duesberg becomes part of the BABOR BEAUTY GROUP (2016). Opening of the new building ‘The Curve’ at the headquarters (2019).
First charging station for electric vehicles in front of the headquarters (2010).
The curves of the ‘Curve’ headquarters. The building is a low-energy building and uses energy from geothermal energy. BABOR flagship in Hamburg (2015)
2020
Foundation of the Premium Private Label Unit (2020) Testing of reusable bottles for cosmetics (2022). Opening of the BABOR BEAUTY CLUSTER. The production and logistics cluster works according to high sustainability standards (2023).
HY OIL bottled in a reusable bottle. The first tree is planted in the BABOR forest. An bioreserve is home to the BABOR bees.
2030
One of the leading family-run companies in the cosmetics industry.
