Essencia Aetherische Oele AG was born in 1949 as the brainchild of Hans Mächler, a former fragrance house employee who recognised the untapped potential of raw materials. Operating initially as the official distributor of Givaudan, Essencia was named after the essences and essential oils that served as the foundation of its business.
From our Roots…
Originally located in an historic building in Winterthur’s old town, Essencia’s early operations involved storing barrels of essential oils in the cellar and manually bringing them up one by one. Hans’ determination and optimism in creating fragrances was evident in the face of the extensive and challenging logistics required for production.
Over the years, Essencia has evolved from a family business centred on the local trade of high-quality essential oils to a global brand that produces evocative scents inspired by the natural beauty of Switzerland.
…To a Global Fragrance Brand
In the 1960’s, Essencia turned to the world of perfumery, creating unique and captivating fragrances using its expertise in natural ingredients. Later in the 1990s, Essencia began crafting its own all-natural fragrances, which became increasingly popular in the early 2000s. Today, this deeply rooted heritage remains a vital resource for Escentina and its team of fragrance designers, who take pride in continuing the tradition of excellence and innovation in the world of natural fragrances and perfumes.
Our continued guiding vision is to delight our clients with products that are both beautiful and responsible, and to inspire a positive, nature-centric shift in the world that surrounds us.
The Journey of Escentina
1949
Humble Beginnings
Essencia was the brainchild of Hans Mächler and two partners, who recognised the untapped potential of raw materials. Hans, having previously worked at Givaudan, decided to establish Essencia as the official distributor of Givaudan products, leveraging his knowledge of the industry. The name “Essencia” was a natural choice, inspired by the words “essence” and “essential”.
1960
First Steps in Perfumery
Essencia made its foray into the world of perfumery by introducing Givaudan’s fragrances to clients, which rapidly gained popularity and proved to be a valuable addition to their product portfolio.
1970
The Mächler Family Affair
Following the passing of one of the three partners, Andreas Mächler, Hans’ son, was asked to support the business at the young age of 24 while he was still studying. Eventually, Andreas went on to create Essencia’s first line of synthetic fragrances, which were highly sought after at the time.
1985
From Distributor to Creator
Having achieved remarkable success with its own fragrance line, Essencia decided to discontinue the distribution of Givaudan’s products and focused solely on its own creations. Drawing upon their extensive expertise in natural ingredients, Essencia introduced its first all-natural perfume in 1988.
2000s
Era of Success
Essencia’s natural perfumes quickly gained a devoted following, attracting a new wave of clients to the brand. The company’s unparalleled expertise in creating natural perfumes, using only the highest quality essential oils, and adhering to the strictest standards and certifications for natural products, helped solidify its position as a leader in the industry.
2002
Relocation and Leadership Transition
As Essencia’s success continue to grow, the historic premises in Winterthur’s old town became too small to support the company’s expansion. Andreas Mächler spearheaded the move to a new facility outside the city centre, providing sufficient space for laboratories, a large production area, and enhanced logistics for the loading and unloading. In 2003, Andreas took over the full management of Essencia and led the company tireless dedication and commitment until 2011.
2012
The New Era
Essencia was acquired by Richard Illi in 2012 following challenging years marked by the global financial crisis of 2008 and significant financial strain. Under Richard’s leadership, Essencia shifted its focus to natural perfumery, the cornerstone of the company’s strategy. This shift led to the creation of a dedicated business unit for natural fragrances, TrueScent, Essencia’s 100% natural fragrance range. The company also adopted a client-centric approach, putting the needs and desires of clients at the forefront of product development.
2015
Sustainable Commitments
Essencia implemented a rigorous supplier selection and evaluation programme in line with the company’s values of sustainability, long-term relationships, traceability, and transparency. This unwavering commitment earned Essencia certifications from well-known organisations such as Ecocert and Bio-Inspecta, as well as the ISO and Swissmedic certifications, now proudly held for years.
2019
International Expansion
Thanks to Essencia’s reputation for high-quality, responsibly sourced products, the company has been able to successfully export and distribute to over 30 countries worldwide. This success has paved the way for Essencia’s international expansion, which began in 2019 when the company established partnerships with local distributors and partners in 8 countries across Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
2024
The Rise of Our New Brand
Recognising the importance of a unified brand identity, Essencia made the strategic decision to bring its marketing activities in-house in 2022. As part of this evolution, the company embraced a new brand name—Escentina. This rebranding reflects our forward-thinking vision while honouring our rich heritage, ensuring seamless continuity for both our clients and partners. Key leadership changes were made to support this transformation. Richard Illi became Chairman of the Board, focusing on long-term strategy and business development, while Marc Wyler took over as Managing Director, overseeing Supply Chain, HR, Finance, Production, and Client Services.
And new exciting
stories lie ahead!
