Our history

Read about the story of the Kolmi Hopen company.
    1921

    KOLMI HOPEN A Medicom company

    1921

    Factory is established in Angers

    The factory was, fistrly, specialised in cigarette paper manufacturing.

    1972

    1972

    The first paper mask

    Kolmi manufactures Europe's first paper mask.

    A revolution for medical equipment!

    KOLMI HOPEN A Medicom company

    1975

    KOLMI HOPEN A Medicom company

    1975

    The first non-woven mask

    Kolmi designs the first single-use non-woven mask.

    The evolution of the material provides better protection but also greater comfort.

    2003

    2003

    Creation of Hopen

    Creation of the Hopen brand, specialist in single-use personal protective equipment.

    KOLMI HOPEN A Medicom company

    2007

    KOLMI HOPEN A Medicom company

    2007

    French leader in surgical masks

    Kolmi becomes the first manufacturer to equip operating theatres in France with surgical masks.

    2011

    2011

    Medicom acquires shares in the capital of Kolmi Hopen

    Medicom, a world-renowned dental equipment specialist of Canadian origin, acquires a majority stake in Kolmi Hopen.

    KOLMI HOPEN A Medicom company

    2012

    KOLMI HOPEN A Medicom company

    2012

    Kolmi celebrates its 40th anniversary !

    Kolmi celebrates its 40th anniversary! This anniversary marks a historic record, that of the 2 billion masks manufactured since its creation.

    2020

    2020

    Covid-19 crisis upsets Kolmi Hopen

    Kolmi Hopen experiences a major turning point in 2020. The entire production of masks is requisitioned, prompting the company to increase its production to meet all demands.

    Thus, a second site is created, MKH Engineering, also near Angers.

    Two other factories are also opened, one in the United Kingdom, the other in Singapore.

    KOLMI HOPEN A Medicom company

    2021

    KOLMI HOPEN A Medicom company

    2021

    Creation of the ManiKHeir factory

    The ManiKHeir factory, in Sarthe, has been created to reindustrialise the nitrile glove in France.

    Gloves from the first production lines should be available by the end of 2023.

     

    The beginnings of a CSR approach are praised

    Kolmi Hopen was awarded the ECOVADIS silver medal only one year after starting its CSR approach.

    2022

    2022

    Strategic alliance with WeeSafe

    Kolmi Hopen acquires WeeSafe, a well-known player in the field of body protection with its Category III PPE suits, to strengthen its position in the industrial market.

    KOLMI HOPEN A Medicom company