1885
Eugen J. Herbst, Felina’s founding father, laid the foundation stone for the company by setting up a “corset factory” in what is today the spa town of Rappenau. Even in those days, practicalities and aesthetics were prime considerations when it came to ladies’ underwear. Previously, corsets and girdles had been obtained from France or bought from the textile factories of Southern Germany.

1890
A mere 5 years after the company was founded, Herbst moved into new business premises in Mannheim, where Felina is still based today.

1922
The name FELINA was derived from a cotton jersey brassière, which had become amazingly successful. This became the concept behind the whole company and gave it its brand name.

1928
The work force rose to 600.

1936
The businessmen and Consul General Richard Greiling took over FELINA and succeeded in doubling the company’s turnover within a few years. Greiling saved the business during the difficult war years and throughout the currency reform and provided the impetus for rapid post-war expansion.

1959
FELINA was already exporting to 50 countries worldwide.

1960
FELINA was already producing 250 different styles for the German customer, in addition to collections for numerous international markets.

1981
A Swiss investment group acquired FELINA and founded the “FELINA INTERNATIONAL AG” in Wettingen, near Zürich, in Switzerland. The FELINA company in Mannheim is its 100% subsidiary and is the operational headquarters. Manufacture takes place in FELINA’s ready-to-wear clothing factories in Hungary and Poland.

To date
The Mannheim firm has its own marketing companies in almost every European country.
FELINA is showing its commitment to internationalisation and globalisation by expanding into India, China and South America. Approximately 6,500 retailers as well as 1,000 co-workers, 180 of whom are based in Mannheim, belong world-wide to the international FELINA family.