Francois Boch bears the title "Bombardier du Roi", royal cannon founder. The iron founder from village of Audun-le-Tiche in Lorraine, however, decides to start a new career. In 1748, together with his three sons, he begins manufacturing ceramic crockery. This marks the birth of the Villeroy & Boch company.

Popular around the world, the Alt Luxemburg crockery series is a Villeroy & Boch evergreen. It dates back to the Brindille pattern which was introduced by Pierre-Joseph in 1770. The creatively gifted entrepreneur fashioned a series of artistic ceramic items including a rocaille hanging flowerpot and a crucifix base with snake symbol – both exhibits can to be found in the Mettlach Ceramics Museum.

As an entrepreneur Pierre-Joseph is one of the social pioneers of the early 19th century. He founds the social institution Antonius Guild in Septfontaines. Its fundamental elements are insurance to cover illness, accidents, and disability, and also a pension fund. It is a comprehensive social insurance to which both employees and the company pay contributions. Antonius Guild benefits are considerably more extensive than those which later became law. They serve as a model for Bismarck 70 years later when he develops the first German social insurance scheme. In 1857, Nicolas Villeroy's daughter Leonie and her husband Adolphe de Galhau set up the Sophie Trust to support families in need.

The factories of the entrepreneurs Boch and Villeroy are not far away from each other. Now and again the two competitors, who successfully market their products beyond Germany's borders, even meet. But in order to exist in Europe's economic framework, particularly alongside the dominant English industry, the two agree to merge. Villeroy & Boch is born. It combines the strengths of both sides: creative talent, entrepreneurial spirit, innovative power and production capacity, and is one of the 19th century's first global players.

The Prussian Minister for Economic Affairs chooses Villeroy & Boch to take part in the famous World Exhibition in London. On a magnificently presented stand the company displays innovative everyday crockery and decorative ceramic items made of bone china and elaborately decorated stoneware. London was the start of a series of prestigious appearances at the great World Exhibitions of the 19th and early 20th century, including Philadelphia in 1876, Paris in 1878 and 1900, Chicago in 1893, St. Petersburg in 1901 and St. Louis in 1904.

Eugen von Boch (4th Boch generation) recognised exactly where the markets of the future were located. He sets up the earthenware factory in Dresden so as to be able to open up new export markets in the north and east of Europe more easily and supply them better from here. Production is originally geared to crockery, but is extended only a short time later to include tiled stoves. The greatest contribution to the Dresden factory's reputation is made by the special department for shop interiors, after production of tiles had also been assumed here. The most famous example is the Dresdner Milchladen (Dresden Dairy), which is today one of the city's greatest tourist attractions. With its hand-worked and hand-painted tiles, the café at the Mettlach Ceramics Museum is an almost authentic version of this historic dairy. (see 2007)

Villeroy & Boch takes over and modernises an earthenware factory in Merzig, where it launches another new range of products – artistic terracotta items. Management of the terracotta atelier is assumed by Professor Alexander Schmidt from Thuringia. At the same time the technicians successfully improve the material so that its robust and weatherproof qualities are superior to those of other building materials, even natural stone. This building adornment known as terracotta, is marketed throughout the world and used, above all, for prestigious properties such as stately homes, cathedrals, banks and castles, one of which was Schloß Herrenchiemsee. Examples of this form of architectural ceramic still in existence today have lost none of their original beauty, while stoneware ornaments would now be weathered and covered in moss.

Villeroy & Boch creates a floor mosaic for Cologne Cathedral, a building of high national symbolic value which was restored in the 19th century. This 1,300 squaremetre mosaic is produced and laid within a period of five years. Besides the industrial manufacture of crockery and tiles, Villeroy & Boch's ateliers create numerous items made specially to order. The company becomes a supplier – above all of crockery – to European ruling houses and to the upper classes. In the construction sector too, numerous prestigious premises all over the world are built or equipped with Villeroy & Boch products, e.g. the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow or the Castle of the Prince of Thurn and Taxis in Regensburg. In the commercial sector, swimming pools, hotels, banks and hospitals, etc. have been equipped with products from Villeroy & Boch from the 19th century through to this day. Its own capacity together with the artistic and technical know-how of its ateliers and planning offices enable the company to design and realise highly individual projects.

Based on a rationally mundane, purpose-orientated styling, the Bauhaus style and the elegantly luxurious art déco style dominate the design of the Twenties and Thirties. This is also reflected in the Villeroy & Boch product range during these decades. Around the turn of the century, Henry van de Velde – founder of the "Kunstgewerbliche Seminar", the forerunner organisation to Bauhaus – had already created designs for Villeroy & Boch. In 1919, together with Walter Gropius, he set up the Bauhaus. Peter Behrens – co-founder of the Deutsche Werkbundes, (federation of architects, artists and builders) – also creates crockery and tile designs for the company.

Production of vitreous porcelain begins at Septfontaines in Luxembourg. Owing to its hardness and resistance to scratches, this material is also used in the catering sector. In addition, Villeroy & Boch is later able to successfully develop the material to produce Fine Vilbo China, which combines refined porcelain white with the outstanding functional qualities of vitreous porcelain.

The first large-scale shipment of crockery goes to Japan. At the same time exports to the USA are stepped up. A series of special editions is created for this market. The crockery sector's name change to Tableware signalises the move towards a new integral range. Designer Helen von Boch creates emphatically modern series, some of which are inspired by the Far East, the best known of which is the Kugel (globe). Concealed inside is a complete dinner service and its production requires the highest degree of technical skill.

Villeroy & Boch takes over the highly-traditional Heinrich porcelain manufactory in Selb. Since 1980, this factory has manufactured bone china, which Villeroy & Boch was the first producer to market on the European Continent. (The company had already manufactured individual series as early as the 19th century.) Bone china is regarded as the most refined porcelain of all and its manufacture requires special technical know-how. This high-quality porcelain not only extends the company's range of materials, but also enables new markets to be opened up.

The Villeroy & Boch company is restructured. In view of sustained stagnation in the construction industry and a tremendous concentration in the retail sector, market development is given a new basis. Customer support and supply is no longer carried out by the individual factories, but centrally. The company is divided into three divisions: Tiles, Sanitary Ware and Tableware/Crystal. By using this "single source" strategy, Villeroy & Boch is able to respond to the requirements and wishes of its market partners in the retail, trade and commercial sectors promptly, flexibly and with a close focus on customer needs.

Changes in society combined with a rising number of single households give rise to new lifestyle and consumer habits which also affect the tableware sector. Villeroy & Boch's innovative Mix & Match concept is a response to this changed way of life. It enables patterns to be freely combined and subsequent purchases to made according to individual demand, with the effect that consumers are not compelled to buy a 12-piece service. On the contrary, they are able to use variable, coordinated tableware designs to create a constantly new look for their laid table. The Mix & Match products, which introduce new market stimuli, become an international success. They continue to influence the appearance of table settings and above all, modern tableware design to this day.

Following thorough company restructuring, strategic reorientation and the conversion of Villeroy & Boch KG into a public limited company, Villeroy & Boch starts trading on the stock exchange. This step marks the beginning of a new phase of opening up capital markets.

The company's 250th anniversary. Many leading European politicians take part in the large-scale celebration gala in Mettlach, including the Federal Chancellor at that time, Helmut Kohl, Luxembourg's Minister President, Jean-Claude Juncker, France's Minister of Finance, Mr Strauss-Kahn and Saarland's Minister President, Oscar Lafontaine. In his official address, Helmut Kohl described Villeroy & Boch as " Europeans of the first generation". In the same year, Wendelin von Boch – the founder-family's eighth generation – is appointed Chairman Management Board. Under his direction further modernisation measures are carried out within the Group: he initiates the change in Villeroy & Boch's corporate direction, converting it from a production-oriented ceramics producer to a lifestyle supplier. At the heart of this paradigm shift is the sales and marketing concept The House of Villeroy & Boch, the extensive implementation of which is one of the Group's strategic goals. This concept is based on an integral, extremely differentiated range, offering individual combination alternatives. An innovative presentation of products in realistic, emotionally appealing room situations is tailored to suit each lifestyle. In order to round off this consistently integral range, Wendelin von Boch continues the diversification strategy by making further acquisitions. In view of the changed market conditions throughout the world, von Boch also pushes ahead with the company's internationalisation and globalisation in the years which follow and focuses activities on the brand.

The Keramikmuseum Mettlach (Mettlach Ceramics Museum) provides a new home for the extensive ceramics collection. Presenting both the tradition and modernity of the Villeroy & Boch company in an exciting, dramatic relationship, this directional exhibition concept creates the ideal setting for the valuable exhibits from the last four centuries. Fine examples give visitors a first-hand experience of the change in everyday culture. The Villeroy & Boch Kinderland is officially opened in the Schaumberger Hof Therapy Centre in Tholey/Saar. Here, patients with their children are given professional help as part of their addiction therapy so that they can get to grips with the consequences of their illness and resocialise more easily. The funds were raised by the initiative Verlassene vergessene Kinder (abandoned, forgotten children) which was launched by Villeroy & Boch on the occasion of the company's 250th anniversary in 1998. Employees, works council and corporate management are involved in this project and they will continue to provide the necessary support.

A branch of the Bathroom and Wellness Division is opened in Shanghai for the purpose of developing the Chinese market. China's brand-oriented consumers enjoy a high level of purchasing power and hold great potential for Villeroy & Boch. This branch represents a further step towards developing the company's position in major global growth markets.

Villeroy & Boch sells 51% of V & B Fliesen GmbH to Eczacibasi – a highly-competitive Turkish industrial group. Operations continue at the factory locations in Germany and France. Management Board restructuring following the move of its Chairman, Wendelin von Boch to the Supervisory Board. He is succeeded by Frank Göring, who is responsible for the two divisions Bathroom and Wellness and Tableware. Management Board member Manfred Finger heads the Finance and Personnel divisions, and is also Director of Human Resources. The new Management Board unit, Corporate Development, is under the direction of Volker Pruschke. Distribution strategy will focus on further internationalisation: numerous new points of sale will come into existence in the tableware sector in 2007. These will be, above all, Houses of Villeroy & Boch in the new growth markets of China, India and the Arab States and will include, for example, Beijing, Bombay, Haiderabad, Casablanca, Qatar, Algeria, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. The Ceramics Museum in Mettlach acquires an unusual café, designed according to blueprints from the 19th century. During that period Villeroy & Boch designed and completed numerous commercial properties. These include the Dresden Dairy of 1892, on which the design of the café is based. Virtually all furnishing elements are made of artistically-patterned tiles. As it is such a unique example of interior design, the museum café in itself offers visitors a further art delight.

Against the background of a global financial crisis, affecting the sales situation in both divisions, Villeroy & Boch passes a package of measures aimed at increasing competitiveness. It involves the specialisation of locations, creating centres of competence and continuing to progressively automate production processes.

Intelligent engineering: by launching DirectFlush technology, Villeroy & Boch has successfully brought a new generation of toilets to market. The intelligent flushing system provides more hygiene with less cleaning and low water consumption. A DirectFlush toilet only consumes 3 or 4.5 litres of water per flush with maximum flushing efficiency. This innovation has quickly became popular. In 2015, sales of DirectFlush and HygieneFlush toilets doubled in comparison with the previous year.

A milestone in ceramic research: drawing on 270 years of ceramic experience, a new material – TitanCeram – was developed, which is used specifically for very delicate, high-quality designs. The special composition of natural raw materials such as quartz, feldspar and clay with titanium dioxide enables elegant designs with high stability. TitanCeram allows the production of precise washbasins with extremely thin walls and clearly defined edges, which are also very robust.

Villeroy & Boch employees from the Communication departments have been working in a new office and conference centre in Mettlach since February 2018. Factory N°09 marks the completion of an important part of the “Mettlach 2.0” site development project. Today, the only reminder of the incarnation of these former warehouse and production premises is the name Factory N°09. With its diverse spectrum of working spaces, the new building has broken away from conventional office structures: about 4,000 square metres provide a tailored work space for each activity.