Natural cosmetics and health manufacturer Kneipp has opened a new production facility at its headquarters in Ochsenfurt-Hohestadt, according to company statements released on September 18, 2026. The company invested approximately 65 million euros into the building, equipment modernization, automation, and digital processes, marking the largest single investment in the brand’s more than 135-year history.
Expanding Production at the Ochsenfurt-Hohestadt Site
The expansion doubles Kneipp’s production footprint from approximately 5,000 to 10,000 square meters, according to corporate announcements. Ochsenfurt-Hohestadt remains the company’s sole production site, from which goods are shipped to 16 countries across Europe and Asia. The location employs about 430 of the company’s roughly 650 total workers, housing administrative offices and research and development operations alongside manufacturing facilities.
“With the new plant, we are strengthening ‘Made in Germany,'” said Katharina Höhne, CEO of the Kneipp Group, in a statement. “We are investing not just in space, but in the capabilities with which Kneipp shapes its future: in more capacity, more efficient processes, and more automation.” Höhne noted that the company manufactures over 94 percent of its roughly 480 products—spanning bath and shower items, skin care, dietary supplements, and herbal medicines—within Germany.
Local and corporate figures attended the facility’s opening ceremony, including Würzburg district administrator Thomas Eberth and Ochsenfurt’s first mayor, Bert Eitschberger. Stefan Grote, a board member of Paul Hartmann, also attended. Kneipp operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Heidenheim-based medical and hygiene products corporation Paul Hartmann AG.
History and Regional Economic Impact
The brand traces its origins back to 1891, when Sebastian Kneipp founded the enterprise alongside Würzburger pharmacist Leonhard Oberhäußer. Company leadership stated that the current expansion aims to build out in-house manufacturing capabilities and establish a foundation for ongoing growth. Many employees at the Ochsenfurt site maintain multi-decade tenures, anchoring the business within the Mainfranken region.
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