/ History & Milestones

A Century &
a Half of Excellence

For well over a century Arnhold has been manufacturing, exporting, and distributing building materials and engineering equipment. Established in 1866 by pioneering traders, Jacob Arnhold, Alexander C. Levysohn, and Peter Karberg in Hong Kong,and later expanding in to Guangzhou and Shanghai. Maurice Green joined the company in the 1930s’ before acquiring controlling interest in 1965. The company remains under the management of the Green family.

1866

1867

1870s

1908

1936

1949

1965

1970s

1980s

1994

2003

2011

2016

2020

Arnhold is Born

In 1866, visionary traders Jacob Arnhold, Peter Karberg, and Alexander Cosman Levysohn founded Arnhold, Karberg & Co as a trading company in Hong Kong, marking the beginning of a remarkable journey.

Choosing Hong Kong

Arnhold’s first Hong Kong office, located on the Praya between
Pottinger and Queen Victoria Street in Central, became the cornerstone of the company’s success. The Hong Kong headquarters signified Arnhold’s commitment to the city.

Expanding in to Mainland China

Arnhold established branches in Canton and Shanghai in 1872 and 1879, respectively, signaling their unwavering dedication to expanding their business interests in the region. This move marked the beginning of a new era of growth and prosperity for the company.

New Canton branch as a statement of success

Arnhold’s success was on the rise, leading to rapid business growth and the establishment of new branches in Tianjin, Hankou, Tsingtao, Wuhu, Jiujiang, Yinkou, Chongqing, and Shenyang, in addition to maintaining local offices in Peking, Jinan, Jilin, and other towns. The new Canton branch building was a bold statement of the company’s success and inspired Arnhold to continue pushing forward to new heights.

Young Engineer joins the company

Innovation and fresh talent have always been at the heart of Arnhold’s success. In 1936, the company welcomed Maurice Green as a Sales Engineer, who later became a member of the Board of Directors in 1947. Green’s fresh perspective and innovative ideas helped drive Arnhold forward and solidify its position as a leader in the industry.

First Kohler showroom in China

Arnhold has always been a dynamic and diversified company that is constantly seeking new opportunities. In 1936, the company introduced a new product line that would become a cornerstone of its success: Kohler plumbing supplies. The opening of the first Kohler showroom in China demonstrated Arnhold’s vision for the future and its commitment to introducing innovative products that meet the needs of its customers. Today, Arnhold continues to sell Kohler plumbing supplies and remains a driving force in the industry.

Headquarters relocate to Hong Kong

After World War II, Arnhold’s headquarters moved back to Hong Kong, marking a new chapter in the company’s history. Hong Kong would become Arnhold’s home base, from which it would continue to innovate and drive the industry forward.

Green Family

Arnhold has always been a family-oriented company, driven by a commitment to excellence and a passion for innovation. In 1965, Maurice Green took control, and the company became wholly owned by the Green Family. This ensured that Arnhold’s legacy of quality and innovation would continue for generations to come.

Introducing fire protection services

Arnhold has always been a company that is willing to take risks and pioneer new ideas. In 1970, the company introduced a new product line that would become a cornerstone of its success: fire protection services. Arnhold was the first company to bring smoke detectors to Asia. The first major contract was for the Hong Kong City Hall, after which its fire service installation and maintenance business grew to cover 2,500 buildings across Hong Kong. This marked a new direction for Arnhold, one that would see the company continue to innovate and drive the industry forward.

Securing distributorship with Kohler

Arnhold has always been committed to providing its customers with the best products and services. In the 1980s, the company secured a distributorship with Kohler, a brand known for its quality and innovation. Arnhold supplied Kohler plumbing fixtures to almost all the new hotels in China, cementing its position as a leader in the industry

Arnhold Group

In 1994, Arnhold Group listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited, marking a new era for the company. As a publicly traded company, Arnhold Group was able to expand its reach and continue to drive business forward.

Marble and stone processing facility

Arnhold has always been a company that is willing to take risks and pioneer new ideas. In 2003, the company invested in a wholly-owned marble and stone processing facility, creating high-value stone products and developing its own branded bathroom products that are distributed internationally under the Arnhold umbrella. This investment in innovation and expansion took Arnhold into new areas of the market.

Coming into one’s own

Arnhold Group has always been a family-oriented company, driven by a commitment to excellence and a passion for innovation. In 2011, the company was de-listed, and control of the company returned to the Green Family, marking a return to Arnhold’s roots as a family business.

150 years

Arnhold has been at the forefront of the industry for 150 years. In 2016, the company celebrated this milestone, reflecting on its past achievements and looking forward to the future.

International expansion

In 2020, the company continued its expansion with offices and showrooms spanning South Africa, the UK, and the US. This global expansion is a testament to Arnhold’s commitment to the future.

1866

Arnhold is Born

In 1866, visionary traders Jacob Arnhold, Peter Karberg, and Alexander Cosman Levysohn founded Arnhold, Karberg & Co as a trading company in Hong Kong, marking the beginning of a remarkable journey.

1867

Choosing Hong Kong

Arnhold’s first Hong Kong office, located on the Praya between
Pottinger and Queen Victoria Street in Central, became the cornerstone of the company’s success. The Hong Kong headquarters signified Arnhold’s commitment to the city.

1870s

Expanding in to Mainland China

Arnhold established branches in Canton and Shanghai in 1872 and 1879, respectively, signaling their unwavering dedication to expanding their business interests in the region. This move marked the beginning of a new era of growth and prosperity for the company.

1908

New Canton branch as a statement of success

Arnhold’s success was on the rise, leading to rapid business growth and the establishment of new branches in Tianjin, Hankou, Tsingtao, Wuhu, Jiujiang, Yinkou, Chongqing, and Shenyang, in addition to maintaining local offices in Peking, Jinan, Jilin, and other towns. The new Canton branch building was a bold statement of the company’s success and inspired Arnhold to continue pushing forward to new heights.

1936

Young Engineer joins the company

Innovation and fresh talent have always been at the heart of Arnhold’s success. In 1936, the company welcomed Maurice Green as a Sales Engineer, who later became a member of the Board of Directors in 1947. Green’s fresh perspective and innovative ideas helped drive Arnhold forward and solidify its position as a leader in the industry.

First Kohler showroom in China

Arnhold has always been a dynamic and diversified company that is constantly seeking new opportunities. In 1936, the company introduced a new product line that would become a cornerstone of its success: Kohler plumbing supplies. The opening of the first Kohler showroom in China demonstrated Arnhold’s vision for the future and its commitment to introducing innovative products that meet the needs of its customers. Today, Arnhold continues to sell Kohler plumbing supplies and remains a driving force in the industry.

1949

Headquarters relocate to Hong Kong

After World War II, Arnhold’s headquarters moved back to Hong Kong, marking a new chapter in the company’s history. Hong Kong would become Arnhold’s home base, from which it would continue to innovate and drive the industry forward.

1965

Green Family

Arnhold has always been a family-oriented company, driven by a commitment to excellence and a passion for innovation. In 1965, Maurice Green took control, and the company became wholly owned by the Green Family. This ensured that Arnhold’s legacy of quality and innovation would continue for generations to come.

1970s

Introducing fire protection services

Arnhold has always been a company that is willing to take risks and pioneer new ideas. In 1970, the company introduced a new product line that would become a cornerstone of its success: fire protection services. Arnhold was the first company to bring smoke detectors to Asia. The first major contract was for the Hong Kong City Hall, after which its fire service installation and maintenance business grew to cover 2,500 buildings across Hong Kong. This marked a new direction for Arnhold, one that would see the company continue to innovate and drive the industry forward.

1980s

Securing distributorship with Kohler

Arnhold has always been committed to providing its customers with the best products and services. In the 1980s, the company secured a distributorship with Kohler, a brand known for its quality and innovation. Arnhold supplied Kohler plumbing fixtures to almost all the new hotels in China, cementing its position as a leader in the industry

1994

Arnhold Group

In 1994, Arnhold Group listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited, marking a new era for the company. As a publicly traded company, Arnhold Group was able to expand its reach and continue to drive business forward.

2003

Marble and stone processing facility

Arnhold has always been a company that is willing to take risks and pioneer new ideas. In 2003, the company invested in a wholly-owned marble and stone processing facility, creating high-value stone products and developing its own branded bathroom products that are distributed internationally under the Arnhold umbrella. This investment in innovation and expansion took Arnhold into new areas of the market.

2011

Coming into one’s own

Arnhold Group has always been a family-oriented company, driven by a commitment to excellence and a passion for innovation. In 2011, the company was de-listed, and control of the company returned to the Green Family, marking a return to Arnhold’s roots as a family business.

2016

150 years

Arnhold has been at the forefront of the industry for 150 years. In 2016, the company celebrated this milestone, reflecting on its past achievements and looking forward to the future.

2020

International expansion

In 2020, the company continued its expansion with offices and showrooms spanning South Africa, the UK, and the US. This global expansion is a testament to Arnhold’s commitment to the future.