IT ALL BEGAN WITH A SIMPLE IDEA.
Looking back, it is clear that company founder Gustav Paul Hildebrandt was a true pioneer when he began filling lemon juice in small, manageable glass bottles. An idea that proved to form the basis for an unbelievably successful company history.
Birth of a success story.
Dresden native Gustav Paul Hildebrandt was an ambitious engineer with a passion for designing and building machines. From 1935 onwards, he and his wife Dorothea also ran a well-known delicatessen in Dresden called “Aufs Brot.” One day, when a customer asked for a small amount of lemon juice, Gustav Paul Hildebrandt began filling it in small bottles. At the time, it was standard practice to sell fresh lemon juice in one-liter bottles, as smaller amounts geared towards households were not yet available. This was the genesis of a simple yet highly successful idea: selling lemon juice in small 100 ml bottles under the family name to lovers of fine cuisine.
In the years that followed, what began with a simple idea in a small store in Dresden grew into an amazing success story that made waves all over the globe.
Innovation and inventiveness.
In 1950, Gustav Paul Hildebrandt invented and built an automatic filling line that took over the chore of filling the glass bottles by hand. In the mid-1950s, the innovative inventor also developed a blow-molding machine for manufacturing plastic bottles, thereby providing a viable alternative to glass bottles, which were notably sensitive to frost and transport. Ever since then, the bottle has been a little smaller, yellow in color, and with that typical SICILIA form.
But the real magic is inside the bottle. In its purest form, the juice of lemons and limes is very bitter indeed. However, when you squeeze a natural lemon or lime, they give off a wonderful aroma of fresh juice and fine lemon oil. The problem is that the precious citrus fruit oil is found in its peel, which is lost almost entirely when the fruit is squeezed. Gustav Paul Hildebrandt solved this problem in 1956 when he developed a special insert that is still used in the neck of SICILIA bottles, allowing the wonderfully fresh aroma of citrus fruits to be retained. This patented capsule serves as an aroma deposit for the valuable citrus oil, which automatically accompanies every squirt of juice.
In 1956, the family established the company headquarters in Berlin (Germany), which to this day supplies only the German market. By 1974, two further sites had been established in Sicily (Italy) and Sulgen (Switzerland), both focusing on the international orientation of the brand.
New products were created in the years that followed. In addition to the classic favorite “SICILIA Express-Zitrone” lemon juice, aromatic lime juice products and organic seasonings established themselves as further highlights in the SICILIA product range. Since then, a great many recipes and packaging units have graced the shelves of retailers under the SICILIA brand.
The success of the SICILIA product range in the US market prompted the family to expand the company even further in 1988, setting up companies in Sulgen (Switzerland) and New Jersey (USA).
For the family’s subsequent generations, too, investments in the future of the company are very much driven by technical progress and by the innovative spirit kindled by company founder Gustav Paul Hildebrandt. A further technological milestone for the sector was set in 1995, when the first ever fully automated filling line did away with manual juice bottling.
Today, with the family’s third generation now at the helm, the company's innovative spirit is as healthy as ever. Modernization and extension work is being carried out at all locations, while extensive certification processes are being finalized, production relocated, and representative offices established in foreign markets. The move into the Russian market and a complete relaunch of the brand are also a clear indication of the progressive and dynamic development of the SICILIA Group, which is set to remain alive and well for generations to come.
The Founding of the Company.
A remarkable historical document from that era marks the beginning of this success story: only in September 2025 was an inventory ledger from 1950 discovered in the family archives – kept by the company’s founder, Gustav Paul Hildebrandt, himself. This historical document clearly demonstrates that the company was founded as early as 1950, not in 1956 as had long been assumed. The inventory ledger thus marks the official beginning of the company’s history and symbolically represents the pioneering, hands-on spirit of its early years.
In 1950, the family established its first location, SIZILIA Citrussäfte GmbH & Co. Produktions KG, as the parent company in Berlin, Germany, which was responsible for supplying the German market. As the brand’s success grew, SICILIA was founded in Messina, Italy, in 1965, ensuring access to the most important citrus-growing regions and decisively shaping the company’s international orientation. In 1974, another strategic location was established with the founding of SIDAG in Sulgen, Switzerland, further driving the global expansion of the corporate group.
In the years that followed, new products were continuously developed. In addition to the classic flagship product, SICILIA Express Lemon, aromatic lime juice products and organic seasonings became additional highlights of the SICILIA product portfolio. Since then, numerous formulations and packaging formats have been available worldwide on retailers’ shelves under the SICILIA brand.
The successful market entry of the SICILIA product range in the United States led to further expansion in 1988 and the establishment of a distribution center in New Jersey.
Technological progress and the spirit of innovation initiated by founder Gustav Paul Hildebrandt have remained a driving force for subsequent generations of the family to invest in the company’s future. In 1995, the transition from manual juice filling to the first fully automated filling line in Germany marked another technological milestone for the industry.
To this day, this innovative spirit – now under the leadership of the third generation – remains undiminished. Comprehensive modernization and expansion projects followed at all locations, along with extensive certification processes, production relocations, and the establishment of new international representative offices. The entry into new markets, including Russia, as well as a complete relaunch of the brand, further attest to the progressive and dynamic development of the SICILIA Group.
Another significant step in the company’s history took place in 2025: the SIZILIA KG production facility on Holzhauser Strasse in Berlin was closed, and operations were relocated to new, modern office premises on Wittestraße. At the same time, SICILIA Citrussäfte Berlin assumed responsibility for distribution in the German market at the new location. This strategic realignment underscores the company’s commitment to continuing to develop the group in a future-proof, efficient, and market-oriented manner for generations to come.
Our company history at a glance.
A historic turning point in the company’s history: the SIZILIA KG production site on Holzhauser Straße in Berlin is closed, while operations are simultaneously relocated to new, modern office premises on Wittestraße.
In the same year, SICILIA Citrussäfte Berlin assumes responsibility for distribution in the German market at the new location – clearly underscoring the group’s commitment to future-oriented development.
Extensive expansion and complete modernization of the Swiss production site.
The organic glass line is introduced as another milestone in the field of sustainable packaging solutions.
The product portfolio is expanded to include the “PET Business Line.”
Christine Runge-Böckel assumes management responsibility in Switzerland, and a production facility is established in Russia to further develop the Russian market.
Following the death of Managing Director Karl-Michael Runge and Christa Biebow, Christine Runge-Böckel, among others, assumes management responsibility in Germany. This is followed by fundamental restructurings, production relocations, and extensive modernization efforts at various locations.
The growing worldwide supply to markets makes the expansion and enlargement of international sites necessary.
Various certifications are introduced across all operations, including ISO 9001, BRC/IOP, organic (BIO), and kosher certification.
The first fully automated filling line is introduced in Berlin, Germany, marking another technological milestone for the industry.
Christine Runge-Böckel joins the SIZILIA/SICILIA Group.
The successful market entry of SICILIA products in the United States leads to further company formations in Switzerland as well as the establishment of a distribution location in the United States.
Company founder Gustav Paul Hildebrandt withdraws from the family business. The continued operation of the companies is taken over by family members Karl-Michael Runge as well as Rolf and Christa Biebow. In the years that follow, the product range is expanded to include lime juice products and organic products.
SIDAG is founded in Sulgen, Switzerland.
With this location, the international structure of the corporate group is further expanded and consolidated.
SICILIA is founded in Messina, Italy.
The location ensures direct access to the most important citrus-growing regions and sustainably strengthens the brand’s international orientation.
Gustav P. Hildebrandt designs and builds a blow-molding machine for the production of plastic bottles. The bottle becomes smaller, turns yellow, and acquires the distinctive SIZILIA shape that is still characteristic today.
Under the company name SIZILIA Südfruchtverwertung, SIZILIA lemon juice develops into the market leader in Germany.
The success of the products extends beyond Germany’s borders, laying the foundation for the company’s international expansion.
Gustav P. Hildebrandt relocates with his family to Berlin and founds SIZILIA in Berlin, Germany.
Production facilities are leased in Berlin-Tegel, where Gustav P. Hildebrandt designs and builds his own filling system for the automated filling of glass bottles – an early technological milestone.
Gustav P. Hildebrandt purchases commercial premises in Dresden. There, he bottles lemon juice in elongated 100-ml glass bottles and markets it under the name “Hildebrandt’s Lemon Juice.”