Kitl
02/2026: Kitl s.r.o., the syrup manufacturer based in the Northern Bohemia region of the Czech Republic, is continuing to chalk up one success after another – not only with its range of fruit and herbal syrups, but also thanks to its herbal wines, meads and mineral waters. And in 2025, the company just passed a new milestone by delivering more than one million bottles of its popular syrups for the first time ever.
The collaboration between Kitl and Vetropack dates back more than fifteen years – and the story actually began with a happy coincidence. Kitl was searching for a standard glass bottle that would be suitably elegant for a premium product, yet practical enough for everyday use as well. Vetropack had exactly such a bottle in its portfolio – and what’s more, it was produced directly in the Czech Republic. This marked the start of a strong and enduring partnership.
Jan Vokurka, Kitl’s founder, discovered his entrepreneurial spirit quite early on. As a successful manager for a multinational food corporation, he sought inspiration during a holiday in Asia for a product he could bring to the Czech market. His first idea was a herbal wine called Šláftruňk, intended to promote better sleep. The product was officially registered as a food supplement, but its market potential remained limited. Then, he gradually developed the idea of producing high-quality syrups: one example was elderflower syrup, which quickly became popular. Restaurants across the country enthusiastically embraced the concept of using it to create home-made lemonades and cocktails.
The name Kitl refers to the famous physician Jan Josef Antonín Eleazar Kittel (1704–1783), nicknamed the ‘Faust of Northern Bohemia’. Vokurka explains: “Kittel’s story truly fascinated me, and I could hardly believe he’d almost been forgotten.” Back in 2010, Vokurka purchased Burk, the historic house where Kittel was born, in the village of Krásná near Jablonec. After gradually renovating it, Vokurka established the Kittel Museum on the site – which continues to attract visitors to this day. The project also includes an educational trail and regular fundraising campaigns for the restoration of historic monuments – most recently in 2024 for the reconstruction of the Holy Stairs in the pilgrimage church of Saint Joseph.
All these activities reflect Kitl’s deeper philosophy, based on honesty, quality and ethics not only in production, but also in the company’s approach to the region and its people. Jan Vokurka often says that “God is hidden in the details” – and it is precisely these details that shape Kitl’s entire approach to production and partnerships. A refusal to compromise on quality, respect for suppliers, and high ethical standards of behaviour ‒ these are the elements of a consistent signature that is also clearly visible in Kitl’s cooperation with Vetropack.
Top quality thanks to natural ingredients and traditional production
Kitl is now a medium-sized company with more than 50 employees. In 2025, its turnover increased by 18 percent to reach CZK 165 million (approx. EUR 6.6 million). The syrup assortment, which forms the core of the company’s production, now includes twelve fruit and three herbal syrups – such as grapefruit, ginger and mango – regularly complemented by limited editions. Kitl’s “Health in a Bottle” is sold by retail stores, restaurants, hotels and catering services, as well as in health-food shops – not only in the Czech Republic, but also in Germany, Slovakia, Ireland and even Australia.
The syrups are produced cold, using a gentle process, and they are stored in huge tanks with capacities of several thousand litres. Kitl places great emphasis on quality and transparency and it uses exclusively natural ingredients without substitutes or additives. The glass packaging supplied by Vetropack also plays a special role: it ensures perfect protection for the contents and, as further benefits, it does not enter into reactions with the beverage, nor does it allow substances from the surrounding environment to permeate.
«Glass is absolutely essential for us. It symbolises our responsible and sustainable approach, and embodies our everyday commitment to quality. Beverages in high demand are bottled in glass all over the world – nothing better exists.»
Although Kitl builds on tradition, the company relies on modern technologies in its production. And, as production increases, the company is significantly robotising and digitalising its operations to maintain stable quality. New robotic components are replacing monotonous or physically demanding tasks, allowing employees to focus on activities with higher added value. Thanks to this approach, Kitl is matching traditional craftsmanship with modern technology – a combination that ensures not only quality, but also long-term sustainability.
A design that really stands out
The 500 ml bottle, originally intended for vinegars and oils, is usually produced with two types of finish – screw finish, and cork finish. For Kitl syrups, the screw finish was chosen: this made it possible to integrate a pouring insert that prevents spillage and keeps the bottle neck clean. Vetropack’s glass containers consist of at least two-thirds recycled glass, and they are produced in a mixed colour. This means they are manufactured during the colour-change phase in the furnace, which results in variations of shade – in Kitl’s case, different tones of green. Vokurka notes: “We don’t mind this, because the label we use covers almost the entire bottle. We were inspired by the tradition of wrapping home-made syrup bottles in paper to protect them from damaging light while they were stored in cellars.” With a smile, he adds: “The label even includes the life story of Doctor Kittel – though it’s a pity that few people ever read it!”
A success story that is set to continue
Kitl already holds the title “Company of the Year of the Liberec Region” and reached further double-digit growth in 2025, reaching around one million bottles of its syrups. “Reliable deliveries, quality and shared values are key for us when it comes to packaging – and we look forward to many more joint successes with Vetropack,” says Vokurka.
The company has also overcome a major challenge: in 2018, it purchased the dilapidated premises of the former Vratislavická Kyselka mineral water factory (known in German as Maffersdorfer Sauerbrunn) and relocated its entire production there. Despite the coronavirus crisis, Kitl succeeded in restoring the mineral springs and reviving production and sales of mineral water. “We were lucky that we already had a multilingual e-shop and a strong customer base,” Vokurka recalls. Restoration of the site continues to this day.
