Koh-i-Noor Hardtmuth a.s. is a Czech manufacturing company of stationery products, based in České Budějovice.[1] Established in 1790, it is one of the oldest stationery companies in the world.
With four factories in its country of origin (České Budějovice, Městec Králové, Broumov, and Milevsko) and one in Bulgaria, the company manufactures and sells a wide range of writing implements, art materials, and office products, exporting them to more than 90 countries worldwide.[2]
History
The company was founded in 1790 by Joseph Hardtmuth (1758–1816) of Austria. In 1802, the company patented the first pencil lead made from a combination of kaolin and graphite.
In 1848, Joseph's sons, Karl and Ludwig, took over the family business, and the production was relocated to the Bohemian city of Budweis (České Budějovice, within the current Czech Republic). The products were given awards in many world exhibitions, including in 1855 in New York City, 1856, 1900 and 1925 in Paris, 1862 in London, 1882 in Vienna and 1905 in Milan.