150 Years of Tradition

1790: Invention Of The Graphite Pencil 
In 1790 the architect Joseph Hardtmuth invented the graphite pencil. After the invention, a company and a production site were immediately founded in Vienna. This company was continued by a Czech company later.

1863: The Brevillier Brand Is Born 
Carl Brevillier made a further contribution to the development of the modern Brevillier’s Cretacolor pencil. He founded the Zeus pencil factory in Vienna in 1863. The assets for this came from the industrial production of screws for railways. But he found his true calling in art. His goal was to create high-quality tools for people who write or draw. So many more people could afford artist material.

The 1970s: Production in Burgenland 
In the 1970s, the original production plant moved to Hirm, the current headquarters of Brevillier Urban.

1996: New owners with a passion 
The passionate and art-loving pencil collector Hans Wolfgang Hromatka acquired the production facility in Hirm in 1996. From the bankrupt’s estate, he developed it into a flourishing production company for artist material. Under his leadership, new products for modern artists were created, such as the wood-free monolith pencil or the unique coloured charcoal ArtChunky. He aimed to combine the tradition of pencil production in Hirm and the innovative power of Brevillier in such a way that the result is the most excellent artist’s needs.

2007 Brevillier Urban & Sachs
Hans Wolfgang Hromatka acquired the company Brevillier in 2007 and merged it with the Cretacolor pencil factory in Hirm. Brevillier Urban & Sachs was born. The company attaches great importance to quality in the production of its products. Efficient controls, careful selection of raw materials and decades of experience ensure quality products.

Today the brands Cretacolor (artist material), JOLLY (kid’s articles) and SAX (office articles) belong to the Brevillier Urban & Sachs family.

The brand Cretacolor with its wide assortment offers everything artists’ heart’s desire. It includes pastel crayons and water-soluble artist’s pencils. Cretacolor captivates again and again with comprehensive sets and new product combinations and appeals not only to professional artists but also to beginners from all over the world.

JOLLY, the famous Austrian brand for children, has been the epitome of products for painting, drawing and writing for many generations of schoolchildren. Whether in class, for homework or in leisure time – the considerable assortment offers a high-quality solution. From coloured pencils and wax crayons to pencils and sharpeners – the genuine quality “Made in Austria” has been convincing since 1965.

SAX is regarded as one of the most popular and traditional brands in the office supplies market. Thanks to the broad and well thought-out range, the unmistakable red and white SAX box can be found on almost every desk. SAX punches or SAX staplers are available in nearly every office.
The brand has been setting new standards in the office supplies market for 150 years, and Brevillier Urban & Sachs has always succeeded in keeping its finger on the pulse of the times. The daily challenge lies in being innovative and continually adapting the range to the requirements and needs of consumers.n.

Brevillier Urban & Sachs – 150 years of experience, 150 years of tradition, 150 years of production at the highest level.