How did it all begin?
The story since 1886
Behind the Koli lemonades as you know them stand four generations of one family and over 100 years of honest work.
The journey from the original soda water of the late 19th century to today’s range of 14 lemonades was long and full of challenges. Dive into the key milestones and get to know the people who were part of the story.
1886
The Factory on Zahradní Street
In 1886, the former rapeseed oil factory of the Fischer brothers was purchased by Josef Kocvera and Josefína Růžičková. They converted the factory into a soda water production facility, marking the beginning of Kolín’s popular beverage tradition. In 1897, the company was taken over by František Růžička, who received approval from the Kolín District Authority to use water from the new municipal water supply for soda water production.
1912
The First Vavruška Generation Arrives
In 1912, Otakar Vavruška bought the house along with the right to produce soda water from František Růžička. From this moment on, the company’s history is linked to the Vavruška family. During the difficult time of World War I, when Otakar Vavruška was at the Front, the business was successfully run by his wife, Anna Vavrušková. In the following years, the company flourished and expanded its range to include lemonade, spirits, vinegar, and wine sales.
1941
JUDr. Vladimír Vavruška takes over the company
JUDr. Vladimír Vavruška establishes a wholesale business while facing the difficult task of guiding the company through the remaining years of World War II. During the war and in the post-war period, he struggles with the authorities. After the war, in February 1948, the company is incorporated into the national enterprise "Kolín Distillery and Yeast Plants" by decision of the then Czechoslovak Distillery and Yeast Industry in Prague.
Operations here were carried out by, for example, Kolín Distillery and Yeast Plants, Central Bohemian Distilleries and Yeast Plants, Central Bohemian Breweries Velké Popovice – Kolín branch, and finally Central Bohemian Breweries – Kutná Hora branch.
1991
Back in the Family's Hands
On November 28, 1991, the soda factory was returned to its original owner, JUDr. Vladimír Vavruška, but unfortunately in very poor condition. Restitution laws applied only to the buildings and outdated production technology. Packaging and inventory had to be repurchased. In June 1992, his son Ing. Pavel Vavruška took over the business and gradually began the renovation of the buildings and modernization of production.
Pavel Vavruška revives the wholesale business, introduces his own distribution and also establishes an in-house syrup facility. Thanks to this, all syrups used for beverage production are made according to family recipes. The product range is expanded to include PET bottles and new flavours. And the name Koli, short for Kolín Lemonades? That came from a public competition and has been used since 1995.
2017
Tradition
Koli has been a true family business from the very beginning — and it continues in that tradition to this day. The fourth generation of the Vavruška family is now being represented by Ing. Pavel Vavruška Jr., who is responsible for sales and marketing.
Innovation continues. Koli now has its own returnable bottles, new labels, and offers customers full marketing support. The product range has recently expanded to include White Grape or this summer’s novelty, Elderflower. From a regional soda producer, the company has grown into a well-established player among the leading Czech soft drink manufacturers. You can spot the Koli logo all across the Czech Republic.
2022
Present Day
Construction of a new distribution warehouse in the Kolín Ovčáry industrial zone.