The Nicols story begins in 1890 with Jean Klimis, the grandfather of the current CEO, on a small Greek island called "Kalymnos", in the heart of a natural sponges fishery located in the Mediterranean sea.

In 1898, Jean Klimis, the current company owners’ grandfather, arrived in Belgium where he decided to found, with his brother, his little independent sea sponge workshop. During the 1st half of the 20th century, this company called "J & K Klimis" developed itself and became the most important negociator of sea sponges in Europe.

In 1947, Nicolas Klimis, father to the current company owners, leaves the family business in order to start his own company : N.M. Klimis & Cie. With four associates, he imports and sells sponges originating from the Aegean Sea (Greece) and chamois leather. He creates the "Nicols" brand coming from his first name, Nicolas.

Nicols develops its activities in the sector of sponges and wiping products. In 1963 the company moves to a 1000m² building in Brussels. Due to difficulties in finding sea sponges in sufficient quantities, the company branches out and begins dealing in cellulose and synthetic sponges. The company starts manufacturing scouring sponges and paint rollers.

This leadership encourages the company to settle in new buildings with a surface area of 10.000 m² in Braine l'Alleud. This is the beginning of product industrialization.

Jean Klimis, the current CEO, joins the company.

In the 1983, Nicols bought a company in the north of France - a company specialized in the production of anti-moth products and toilet blocks. Nicols then develops a strategy of producing private label products in France. In the beginning of the 90's, Nicols becomes leader of private label sponges on the French market. The 90's marked the beginning of toilet care products and air fresheners production. The group enjoys significant growth in the 90's in France as well as in the rest of Europe.

The Belgian factory becoming too small, creation of a second production unit in the Hauts de France (Bertry).
Pierre Klimis joins his brother in the company. The 90's marked the beginning of toilet care products and air fresheners production. Nicols is internationalizing and expanding into the main European markets.

Nicols sets up a branch in Poland becaming a modem the Polish factory with rapid growth turning into our largest production center during the years 2005-2012.

Implementation of an innovation and development strategy for the R&D department. Nicols focuses on the development and manufacture of Private Label products for major European retailers and major international brands and starts production of Liquid toilet blocks.

In 2006 Nicols installs a branch in Italy and begins production of insecticides and electric air fresheners. By the end of 2010, this industrial site is closed, and its insecticide production transferred to our modern Polish facilities, providing for efficiencies while continuing to keep our clients' expectations.

NICOLS joined the AISE Charter for Sustainable Cleaning in 2010. During the 2011-2013 period, Nicols focused its energy on developing in-house innovation capabilities. Today, Nicols is a leading manufacturer in the market of household and cleaning products. The tri-layer sponges are seen everywhere in Europe but Nicols was the first to launch this product in 2010 and patent it. This product was even elected “Product of the year” in Germany to reward its innovative feature.

Nicols started to produce its cellulosic sponges with its own cellulose production.

Nicols starts a new method of decentralized management and organizational governance named Holacracy in which authority and decision-making are distributed throughout a holarchy of self-organizing teams

Nicols is on the first page of the newspaper “L’Echo” !

Launching of the green, environment friendly products
Nicols is in the Trends Family Business !