Our History
Focused on providing high-quality everyday essentials, Kobayashi began in 1886 as a premiere wholesaler of OTC medicines and household products in Nagoya, Japan. In 1894, however, Kobayashi chose to build upon the long tradition of manufacturing expertise in that region and moved beyond mere wholesale by bringing its own pharmaceutical innovations to the market. In other words, you could say we’ve proudly applied the principles of creation and innovation to our business from practically the start. In 1998, Kobayashi broke ground in the Americas, introducing major brands like Hothands® and Zim’sTM Max Freeze to the U.S. market. Today, Kobayashi’s American corporate campus is located in Dalton, Georgia and supported through the hard work of some 200 employees.