Find your wilderness.

A success story that began in the heart of Berlin

In 1910, the Berlin councilor of commerce Max Graetz developed the first Petromax high-pressure lamp at
Ehrich & Graetz. As Max Graetz was affectionately called "Petroleum-Maxe" by
his Berlin friends,
the name Petromax was an obvious choice for his innovative lamp. What emerged as a brilliant
engineering achievement in the German capital was to conquer the world
and become one of the best-known German brands.

Right from the start, the Petromax was a bestseller
par excellence, soon conquering the whole world and being produced in millions
. At a time when electricity was far from being available in every
household, this German innovation revolutionized
lighting worldwide. In the 1960s, at least 80 % of the lamps
were exported - proof of the exceptional quality "Made in
Germany".

German roots that last for generations

Since 1910, the name Petromax has stood for self-sufficient lighting,
self-determination and independence in the open air. The brand embodies
German engineering and precision - values that have endured for more than a
century. It is interesting to note that chrome plating was also a
pioneering achievement by Graetz, as this type of
surface technology had not yet been fully developed.

Despite all the challenges of history - two
world wars, political upheavals and economic crises - the
Petromax brand remained. After the Second World War, Graetz AG built a new factory in
Altena/Westphalia, where the Petromax was manufactured in large quantities
. This consistency speaks to the strength of a brand that meets
real needs.

The rediscovery of a classic

In the early 2000s, Jonas Taureck was gripped by the
spirit of adventure and set off with a friend from Germany to South Africa
. In 2000, during a breakdown with an old Magirus truck in
the desert in the middle of Niger, Jonas Taureck rediscovered the iconic lamp.
Instead of electricity, he found the HK500 strong light lamp, which had fallen into
oblivion, in a brightly lit desert village in Niger. This was the second birth
of Petromax: Jonas Taureck brought the trademark rights and production back
to Germany.

A strong brand for real adventures

Today, Petromax is far more than just a lamp - it is
a philosophy of life. The brand stands for quality that lasts for generations
, for products that make real adventures possible and for German
craftsmanship that meets the highest standards. From the legendary HK500 to
modern outdoor equipment, every Petromax product embodies the
same values: reliability, durability and the freedom to experience nature
unfiltered.

115 years later: Tradition meets innovation

What began as a revolutionary light source in Berlin in 1910 has
developed into a strong German brand that inspires people worldwide to
real adventures. Petromax combines traditional German
craftsmanship with innovative technology and creates products that enrich life
outdoors.

Celebrate with us 115 years of German tradition, 115 years of
innovation and 115 years of real adventure. Because Petromax is not just
about equipment - it's about the passion for being outdoors, about real
moments and about the freedom to discover your own wilderness.