Tempo handkerchiefs

Tempo is an iconic brand of disposable paper handkerchiefs that has become a household name in Europe. Originally patented on January 29, 1929, by German Jewish entrepreneur Oskar Rosenfelder and his brother Emil in Nuremberg, the product was marketed as a hygienic and modern alternative to traditional cloth handkerchiefs. The brand name 'Tempo' was chosen to evoke the speed and efficiency of the modern era.

Throughout its history, the brand has undergone several ownership transitions. After the Rosenfelder brothers were forced to sell their company during the Nazi era, it was eventually acquired by Procter & Gamble in 1994. In 2007, the Swedish group SCA (Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget) purchased the business. In 2017, SCA spun off its hygiene and health divisions into a new company called Essity, which remains the ultimate owner today.

Manufacturing continues to have a strong base in Germany, particularly at the long-standing production facility in Neuss near Düsseldorf, which produces billions of tissues annually. While Germany remains its primary manufacturing hub, the brand also utilizes various international facilities to serve its extensive distribution network across Europe and Asia.