Korjo History

A brief history of Korjo.

Korjo History – early beginnings

The Korjo History began when we pioneered the travel accessory business in Australia in the mid 1970’s. Les Kausman purchased the first passport camera in Victoria for his pharmacy in the department store Buckley and Nunn.  Travellers started to flock to the pharmacy to get their passport photos and expert travel health advice.  By listening closely to his customers, Les soon recognised a gap in the market – no-one was manufacturing or supplying any travel accessories.  He set about making the first range of travel accessories in Australia and began selling them in his pharmacy.  Soon other retailers saw the Korjo products and understood the sales potential, and Korjo made a transition from creator and retailer, to importer, wholesaler and distributor.

Further growth came with national and international expansion – although Korjo has always ensured that all our partners share our visions, goals and ethics.

 

Korjo Today

We are very proud that Korjo is a well known and respected international brand, with over 120 products in our range, yet we remain an Australian family company.

At Korjo Travel Products, our aim is to help business and leisure travellers all over the world to have a more comfortable, happy, safe and convenient trip. Korjo focuses solely on travel accessories and has been providing information, advice and travel products for more than 30 years. We believe that the travelling experience should be about maximising the enjoyment, educational and business opportunities that travel presents. Therefore Korjo has created a genuinely useful range of travel products that minimise discomfort and problems, and promote security, health & safety – letting you concentrate on the trip itself.

 

Appointment as exclusive distributor of Cabeau products

Korjo has recently been appointed as exclusive distributor of the luxury travel brand Cabeau.  The Cabeau pillows are incredibly comfortable and enhance any trip.

Click here for Cabeau Evolution Pillows  or here for Cabeau Evolution Cool Pillows

 

Korjo Packaging Covenant

Korjo has been a signatory to the Australian Packaging Covenant – we are committed to minimising the environmental impacts of product packaging.

In complying with the APC requirements Korjo has produced an APC Annual Report.
Click here to read the Korjo APC Action Plan
Click here to read the latest Korjo APC Annual Report.

Korjo Philanthropy

We believe that it is important to give of ourselves to try to make the world a better place.  Korjo is involved in a wide variety of philanthropic endeavours, both local and international. As a Foundation partner to the Koala Kids Foundation, we donate office space and support services to assist them in their mission to make a positive difference to the lives of children and young people undergoing cancer treatment and their families.

Koala Kids

Timeline

1961

Kausman's Pharmacy opens at Buckley & Nunn

1978

First passport photo camera in Victoria

1980

First travel products designed (Water boiler and a set of adaptors)

1981

Korjo Business name registered and first products sold

1983

John Ford Agencies becomes first interstate distributor (NSW)

1985

First International distributor (Korjo NZ)

1989

Achieve wholesale sales of over $1m (approx 20 products)

1990

Second generation joins the family business

1993

Appoint ACE as Singapore distributor

1995

Over 50 products in the range

1996

Official supplier to Australian Olympic Team 1996

1998

Founders retire, second generation ownership and management

2004

Logo and packaging update to bold, Australian green and gold

2007

Move into purpose built 5000 sqm Korjo office / warehouse in Hawthorn

2012

Over 100 products in the range

2016

Korjo rebranding - a fresh new look

2017

Exclusive distributor of Cabeau products