FANTA's ORIGIN FROM COCA-COLA
Fanta's origin can be considered as a very important event in the history as the story associated to it is quite interesting. Fanta, today is one of the best selling beverages in the world. But one may ask the questions, "How did Fanta originate ?" or "When was Fanta first invented ?"
In reply it can be said that several historical factors like Hitler’s Nazi regime, World War II etc. are associated with its origin. Here I shall tell you about Fanta's orign from Coca Cola during the tough circumstances of World War II in Nazi Germany.
In reply it can be said that several historical factors like Hitler’s Nazi regime, World War II etc. are associated with its origin. Here I shall tell you about Fanta's orign from Coca Cola during the tough circumstances of World War II in Nazi Germany.
RISE OF NAZI GERMANY AND THE SUCCESS OF COCA-COLA
In the year 1933, a man rose to power in Germany, who later introduced Nazi Germany to the whole world. Yes it was Hitler, and with his advent
came the Third Reich, the Nazi Germany and also the World War II. Parallel to Hitler another
force also started rising in Germany.
Riding on the back of Max Keith, ‘Coca Cola’ set is foot on the German soil and gradually it became one of the most popular drinks among the people. Keith was himself a German and was dedicated towards to flourish of Coca Cola in Germany. This dedication resulted in the introduction of a new drink; Fanta in the market.
Max single handedly built the
company’s entire infrastructure in Germany; he set up a bottling plant in
Frankfurt and some warehouses in Cologne. He made great efforts in marketing of
the product and soon every citizen of Germany was aware of the new drink in the
market. With this he achieved something truly remarkable; he made Germany get
rid of its alcoholism and start drinking soda instead.
Keith saw Coca Cola reaching tremendous heights in Germany. Of course Keith was very careful with the advertisements, he successfully hid the fact that Coca Cola was an American business rather made it seem like that the American company was not a share holder but simply a lender. In a way Keith was right, his incredible success made him earn more independence from the company and he was already producing seven out of the nine secret ingredients of the product in his own factories.
Riding on the back of Max Keith, ‘Coca Cola’ set is foot on the German soil and gradually it became one of the most popular drinks among the people. Keith was himself a German and was dedicated towards to flourish of Coca Cola in Germany. This dedication resulted in the introduction of a new drink; Fanta in the market.
Keith saw Coca Cola reaching tremendous heights in Germany. Of course Keith was very careful with the advertisements, he successfully hid the fact that Coca Cola was an American business rather made it seem like that the American company was not a share holder but simply a lender. In a way Keith was right, his incredible success made him earn more independence from the company and he was already producing seven out of the nine secret ingredients of the product in his own factories.
FANTA's ORIGIN DURING WORLD WAR II
Fanta's origin took place during World War II. The flourishing business was soon exposed to new
threats. Under Hitler’s orders a four year plan was introduced to promote
self-sufficiency in Germany. This directly meant fewer shipments from the US
which meant fewer products for the company. And finally in 1939, Hitler’s invasion
of Poland broke out the World War II which was a major setback for Keith. At the same time it was also a major cause towards Fanta's origin.
The entry of America into the war in 1941 resulted in a total cutoff of the shipments from the US. But Keith was hell-bent to make the business work, he somehow rationed the two missing ingredients the best he could. But this rationing only lasted for a short interval and soon he needed a new product to keep his business going.
This simple need led toward Fanta's origin. It was not easy, the resources were scarce and he created Fanta from the leftovers of other companies. He used apple fibers left from cider process and whey (the watery remains of milk when curdled to make cheese), the recipe also sometimes included grapes, oranges etc. But this product was far from tasty but luckily it was all what Germany had.
Fanta's origin saved Keith as now he had something to produce and sell. To come up with a
name for this new product, Keith asked his employees to use their imagination
or ‘phantasie’ in German. From then this name was adopted and soon it ended up
being Fanta. By the time Coca Cola got exhausted in the factories the company was
already selling three million cases of Fanta per year.
The entry of America into the war in 1941 resulted in a total cutoff of the shipments from the US. But Keith was hell-bent to make the business work, he somehow rationed the two missing ingredients the best he could. But this rationing only lasted for a short interval and soon he needed a new product to keep his business going.
This simple need led toward Fanta's origin. It was not easy, the resources were scarce and he created Fanta from the leftovers of other companies. He used apple fibers left from cider process and whey (the watery remains of milk when curdled to make cheese), the recipe also sometimes included grapes, oranges etc. But this product was far from tasty but luckily it was all what Germany had.
First Fanta Bottles in Nazi Germany
(downloaded from wikimedia commons)
By the end of 1943 the war was taking its toe, the allies
were bombing the German cities frequently. Every single factory and warehouse
was bombed atleast once and some of them were completely leveled. He continued
bottling Fanta until the allies found him in a partially destroyed factory. As
the allies liberated Europe, Coca Cola factories were rebuilt. Keith was hailed
as a hero in America.
Not only he kept the business running in toughest of times but also successfully prevented it from getting nationalized and thus keeping the business away from the taint of fascism. For his efforts Keith was made president of Coca Cola Europe. After spending a few years a proper version of Fanta was released in 1955. Since then Fanta has been one of the best selling beverages in the world but it all started back during the World War 2 when the supplies from the US were cut.
Thus we see that Fanta's origin; the origin of one of the best selling beverages actually took place in a very resource less condition, but the untiring efforts and never giving up attitude kept it alive and finally reformed it into a successful business.
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Not only he kept the business running in toughest of times but also successfully prevented it from getting nationalized and thus keeping the business away from the taint of fascism. For his efforts Keith was made president of Coca Cola Europe. After spending a few years a proper version of Fanta was released in 1955. Since then Fanta has been one of the best selling beverages in the world but it all started back during the World War 2 when the supplies from the US were cut.
Thus we see that Fanta's origin; the origin of one of the best selling beverages actually took place in a very resource less condition, but the untiring efforts and never giving up attitude kept it alive and finally reformed it into a successful business.
To read other articles Click Here
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