Paola, you are responsible for the LIV by Neher project. Can you tell us how the idea for LIV came about?
Paola: With pleasure! The idea was born in 2023 out of an everyday problem: How can we remove insects from our living spaces without hurting them? Many of the products on the market at the time were functional but often not particularly attractive and often came from the Far East. We wanted to create something that was both practical and aesthetically pleasing – a product that you wouldn’t have to hide away, but would enjoy using in your home. This is how the LIV insect catcher was born, our first product.
LIV is a project of the Neher family business. How did this connection come about?
Paola: Exactly, LIV by Neher is a brand that was founded by Neher Insektenschutz. It is a project from the heart that builds on Neher Insektenschutz ‘s many years of experience. For over 50 years, Neher has been known for its high-quality fly screens, which enable insect-free living spaces. With LIV, we wanted to use this experience to create a brand that combines sustainability, quality and design in a completely new way.
The name "LIV" has a special meaning, right?
Paola: Yes, that’s right! LIV comes from Scandinavian and means life. This name perfectly reflects what we are all about: we want to develop products that enrich life, respect nature and make the home a more beautiful and pleasant place. LIV stands for life in all its forms – for the insects we protect and for the people who use our products.
After the insect catcher, you expanded your range. What does LIV by Neher offer today?
Paola: We have actually expanded our range because we realized that there are many more ways to make the home more beautiful and sustainable. Today, in addition to the insect catcher, we also offer beeswax candles and scented candles that are handmade in inclusive workshops and provide relaxing moments of well-being, as well as handmade ceramic products that perfectly combine design and functionality.
You attach great importance to social responsibility. Can you tell us more about this?
Paola: Social responsibility is really important to us. For example, our insect catcher is made by Lebenshilfe Landkreis Tuttlingen e.V., which is very important to us. We also donate 40 cents with every insect catcher sold to the Blühende Landschaft network to create 1 square meter of flowering meadow in Germany. In this way, we create valuable habitats for insects and actively contribute to the protection of biodiversity.
The 8,000 square meter flowering meadow at your company headquarters is also an impressive project. How did it come about?
Paola: Yes, we are very proud of that! In 2019, we planted an original 5,000 square meter flowering meadow at our company site in Baden-Württemberg. With the construction of our new high-bay warehouse, we were able to expand the area to 8,000 square meters. The meadow was designed in accordance with the requirements of the Habitats Directive (Fauna-Flora-Habitat) to create a valuable habitat for insects and wildflowers. We only mow the meadow twice a year and leave the cuttings to allow the plants to self-seed. In this way, the meadow remains a paradise for bees, butterflies and other insects all year round.
What is your vision for the future of LIV by Neher?
Paola: Our vision is to help people to make their homes not only insect-free, more beautiful and more functional, but also to make a positive contribution to the environment and society. With LIV, we want to show that sustainability, design and functionality can go hand in hand. LIV means life – and that’s what we’re all about: protecting and celebrating life in all its forms.