History

Our family business celebrated its 80th anniversary in 2008. The natural cosmetics manufacturer is now in its third generation, managed by Wikhart Teuffel, the grandson of founder Walter Rau.

But let's take a look back to when the company was founded. Anthroposophist Walter Rau established the "Feinseifenwerk WALTER RAU" ("WALTER RAU Fine Soap Works") in 1928, a risk in a crisis-shaken economy. The offspring of the Stuttgart-based family business "Vereinigte Seifenfabriken" ("United Soap Factories"), Rau wanted to continue the soap-making tradition of his parents. But this was not enough: He wanted to manufacture more than the curd soap popular for washing clothes in those days. Rau's idea: A gentle, natural soap for body care. 

This idea was teamed with a special fascination: Rau was inspired by the unique harmonising medicinal properties of the Speick plant, Lat. Valeriana celtica, which had been prized for centuries.

It became his vision to harness the benefits of this almost forgotten plant. Walter Rau discovered that the Speick plant has a calming effect on the central nervous system while simultaneously stimulating the vegetative nervous system. 

From this idea and fascination emerged a unique product: Speick soap. This natural, extra-mild soap was a cosmetic revolution - for body care, as opposed to washing. Rau did not however want the holistic philosophy behind his product to be limited to its manufacture and sale. Rather, the entrepreneur shaped the whole company according to his anthroposophic principles. Rau wanted to create something of value for people out of his fascination and ideas - anthroposophy and its holistic understanding of human and nature. Employees received further training during "factory hours", working mothers were offered company childcare and local recreational facilities were developed for factory employees. 

The company continues to work according to these principles today. "Being seen as a person; being given the opportunity to grow and to learn" - employee development remains important for Wikhart Teuffel today. The founder's grandson can see just how important it is that "tradition has future" through the alpine farming families in Carinthia, Austria, who harvest the wild-growing Speick plant. The family farm has been taken over by the next generation and with it, the Speick harvest - by hand, as it has been for centuries. At about 1,800 metres above sea level, high up in the Nock Mountains, the Speick harvest represents an important source of income. The partnership with the Speick alpine farmers and the Nock Mountains National Park shows how values can be realised in a practical manner. Employees of the family business who have visited the Nock Mountains and the alpine farmers that harvest the Speick plant left with an awareness of the finite nature of natural resources, as in the alpine ecosystem of the Carinthian Nock Mountains, and how "being human" is inextricably linked to the natural universe.

Speick natural cosmetics today. The continuation of an 80-year-old vision, combined with an awareness of the environmental and social fabric which weaves together the family business, the alpine families and the Nock Mountains Region. With responsibility for the future.

Would you like to find out more about our philosophy and the Speick plant?