AN AMAZING STORY OF TRADITION
The most important capital a company can possess are the traditions that are passed from one generation to the next. Koh-I-Noor is a company that is all about tradition. Established in 1830 by Friederich Grüneberg, Burstenfabrik Grüneberg was the precursor of Koh-I-Noor. This company was located in Bratislava, Slovakia and manufactured brushes manually by a workforce of 100 strong. In 1866 leadership of the factory was succeeded by Wilhelm Grüneberg, Frederich’s son. As part of the tradition, Burstenfabrik Grüneberg made some of the first toothbrushes that were distributed throughout Europe. Toothbrush handles were originally made of ox bone and the bristles were inserted by hand into the handles. Under Wilhelm’s leadership, the company acquired the first automatic machines used for producing toothbrush. Over time, the handles evolved from ox bone to wood and subsequently to celluloid acetate (plastic).
THE TRUE CRAFTMANSHIP
With the new look of polished plastic, Wilhelm decided to rename the company to something that was synonymous with beauty, uniqueness and perfection. The name “Koh-I-Noor” was selected and is based on the 191 carat diamond found in India. The diamond was taken by the British during the conquest of the Punjab in 1849 and is currently on display in the Jewel House at the Tower of London.
The name is actually Persian and means “Mountain of Light”. With the name change and introduction of the new shiny toothbrushes, Koh-I-Noor experienced a significant increase in business. By 1910, the factory in Bratislava employed over 1000 workers. In the years prior to World War II, Koh-I-Noor granted manufacturing licenses to international distributors including Carlo Scavini, an exclusive Italian importer. Hence, KOH-I-NOOR Italiana was create to which subsequently Wilhelm Gruneberg ceded the entire know-how, patents and brands in the world. In 1964 KOH-I-NOOR opens the factory in Tradate, where still today all the products of the range of accessories for body care are produced with the productive characteristics of always. The reliability of the materials and the productive tradition make Koh-I-Noor a rare combination between innovation and craftsmanship of true made in Italy.