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The History of KNOX

For generations, KNOX has ranked among Germany’s best-known incense cone brands. The company combines traditional craftsmanship with classic fragrance recipes. Its roots reach back to the 19th century and connect closely to the incense traditions of Saxony and Thuringia.

From Pharmacy to Fragrance Tradition

The story started with pharmacist Hermann Eduard Zwetz, who was born in 1846 in Blankenhain, Thuringia. Between 1860 and 1865, he completed his pharmaceutical training. In 1876, he married Minna Christiana Amalie Mohrstedt. Soon after, the couple took over the Löwen Pharmacy in Zörbig near Halle.

By the late 1880s, Hermann Zwetz expanded his work into chemical preparations and incense products. City records in Schleiz listed his company as a “Räuchermittel- und Glühstoffabrik.” His pharmaceutical knowledge helped him create carefully blended fragrances that later became popular across Germany.

The Birth of a German Tradition

On March 20, 1893, the company officially entered the commercial register in Schleiz. Over time, the business earned a strong reputation for high-quality incense products. Families especially enjoyed the fragrances during the Christmas season.

After Hermann Zwetz passed away in 1923, the family continued the business. Later, pharmacist Karl Bayer took over the company. In 1949, Elisabeth Bayer, daughter of Hermann Zwetz, became the official owner of the incense factory.

A New Beginning and the Creation of KNOX

In 1952, Erich Koch purchased the former “Apotheker Hermann Zwetz” incense factory. He moved the business to Mohorn-Grund near the Tharandt Forest in Saxony.

The company introduced the KNOX brand name in 1958. The name soon became known far beyond Germany. During the following decades, the company expanded production, built new facilities, and exported its incense products internationally.

Overcoming Challenges

Like many traditional East German family businesses, the company faced difficult times. In 1974, a major fire nearly destroyed the production building. Even with limited materials during the DDR era, the team slowly rebuilt production in temporary buildings.

The company also survived the political and economic changes of German reunification in 1989. During the 1990s, KNOX modernized its equipment and expanded its facilities. At the same time, the company preserved its traditional recipes and production methods.

KNOX Today

Today, KNOX remains a privately owned German company. It focuses on traditional craftsmanship, authentic fragrances, and German incense culture. The headquarters also features a museum dedicated to the history of “Apotheker Hermann Zwetz” and German incense traditions.

For more than 150 years, KNOX has helped preserve one of Germany’s most beloved holiday customs. Its incense cones continue to fill homes with warm and nostalgic Christmas scents.