History

1790 An earthenware factory was founded in Vienna by Josef Hardtmuth
1802 The production of graphite leads from graphite and clay was patented
1808 A new factory producing pencils and earthenware in Vienna was built
1848 The factory was relocated from Vienna to České Budějovice
1870 The production of earthenware was terminated; the focus of the production now switched to pencils
1889 The production of the graphite pencil 1500 KOH-I-NOOR in 17 gradations commenced
1890 The first mechanic propelling pencil
1895 The production of black art chalk NEGRO commenced
1905 The introduction of in-house production of rubber
1910 The formation of one of the greatest pencil plants in the world, with 8 establishments and 34 commerce representations
1914 – 1918 The company production restricted on the grounds of World War I
1920 Promotion printings on pencils was introduced together with job-order manufacture
1934 – 1937 The multinational corporation was built up again
1939 – 1945 The multinational corporation was liquidated and the production was restricted in the course of World War II
1945 The nationalization of the company
1946 The introduction of metal mechanic pencils Versatil
1948 – 1955 Small home producers in the branch gradually merged into one establishment
1956 The production of ballpoint pens commenced
1957 The formation of the export subsidiary company Bohemia Works
1992 The company was transformed into a joint stock company and privatized
1994 The incorporation of the company into the Gama Group
1997 The formation of the Haibach logistic centre
1998 The KOH-I-NOOR HARDTMUTH Trade a.s. subsidiary was set up to operate on the Czech market
1999 The completion of internal restructuring of production and sale
2000 The formation of KOH-I-NOOR HARDTMUTH SLOVENSKO a.s. subsidiary for the sale in the Slovakian trade
2002 The formation of KOH-I-NOOR HARDTMUTH POLSKA Sp. z o.o. subsidiary for the Polish market
2002 The formation of KOH-I-NOOR Italia S.p.A. subsidiary for the Italian market
2004 The formation of KOH-I-NOOR BULGARIA s.r.o. subsidiary for the Bulgarian market and the construction of the KOH-I-NOOR Nanjing Stationery CO. Ltd. production plant in Nanjing in China
2005 The formation of the KOH-I-NOOR HARDTMUTH ROMANIA S.R.L. subsidiary for the sale in the Romanian market
2007 The acquisition of HEMUSMARK, the marker producer, and the formation of KOH-I-NOOR HemusMark AD in Bulgaria
2008 The opening of KOH-I-NOOR HARDTMUTH brand store in China
2009 The formation of the logistic centre in Senec, Slovakia