NICO Introduction & History
Introduction NICO Europe - get to know us!
NICO is one of the most successful fireworks companies in the DACH region. Fireworks and pyrotechnics – that is our passion. Our slogan: WE LIVE FIREWORKS. With over 100 years of experience in selling New Year’s Eve and year-round fireworks, we are true professionals.
Our fireworks products are the result of our commitment to innovation and quality. We use only the finest materials and have a team of experts who are constantly working to create the perfect fireworks display. With our innovative designs and excellent customer service, we can provide you with an unforgettable fireworks experience. Our extensive line of fireworks products includes a variety of colors and effects to add a unique touch to your events and celebrations.
As a leading manufacturer of fireworks, we offer unique and innovative products that will make your events and celebrations unforgettable. Our goal is to provide you with the best fireworks experience and deliver a wide range of high quality and modern fireworks products.
You can enjoy the impressive colors and effects of NICO fireworks at well-known large fireworks shows. At the annual fireworks at the Japan Day, the closing fireworks of the Rhine Fair in Düsseldorf or at Rhine in Flames from Spay to Koblenz you can see the great sky artworks. The NICO pyrotechnicians also stage fireworks themselves at major events, festivals and functions. There, high-altitude, indoor and stage fireworks as well as pyrotechnical special effects at the highest level are used. We also regularly demonstrate our skills and expertise at national and international competitions.
Historical timeline
NICO Europe GmbH can look back on a long history whose development began as early as the middle of the 19th century. This tradition makes us proud and at the same time means a great responsibility. The timeline will automatically guide you through this little journey of time.
Start of the history
As early as 1916, Wilhelm Moog founded Pyrotechnische Fabriken Moog, which began production on the site of its predecessor company, Pyrotechnische Fabrik Carl Lippold Am Blaffertsberg. The main focus of production was the manufacture of high-altitude fireworks, which were set off on site by the company's own staff. In 1930, Hans Moog took over the company from his father and developed it into one of the world's leading fireworks manufacturers.
Foundation of NICO
H. Moog, H. Nicolaus and Hanns-Jürgen Diederichs found the pyrotechnical factories Hans Moog - H. Nicolaus in Trittau
Foundation of the VPI
Foundation of the VPI - Association for the Pyrotechnic Industry. NICO is a founding member.
Nico Pyrotechnik Hanns-Jürgen Diederichs GmbH & Co KG
Transformation into Nico Pyrotechnik Hanns-Jürgen Diederichs GmbH & Co KG
Liebenwein-Schult
Takeover of the Liebenwein-Schult company in Austria
Pyrotechnik Silberhütte
Participation in Pyrotechnik Silberhütte GmbH
Oskar Lünig pyrotechnics factory
Takeover of the Oskar Lünig pyrotechnics factory in Stuttgart
NICO Lüning Event
Foundation of NICO Lünig Event GmbH
New location in Remscheid
We are now also located at our current location in Remscheid.
Introduction of composite fireworks
Introduction of composite fireworks in Germany by NICO in 1996.
First “eco line”
We are ahead of our time and launch the first "eco line" for fireworks. The packaging is completely plastic-free!
Open house day
The last "Open Day" was already 8 years ago and was hosted on the 40th anniversary of NICO, that was in 1989. On 13.09.1997 it was time again: NICO's gates were wide open. In addition to the 250 employees, 600 invited guests were also welcomed at the open day.
New warehouse location
New warehouse location in Holdorf. NICO acquires a 30-hectare area, including a bunker system. Category F1 and F2 fireworks are stored there to this day.
Nico Feuerwerk
Summary of all small fireworks groups in the Nico Feuerwerk GmbH
Battery fireworks
Battery fireworks come to Germany! NICO is the first company to import and establish this new type of fireworks in the DACH region.
Trillenium®- Step fireworks
The Trillenium®- Step fireworks in Hamburg: NICO present a step into the next millennium over the Binnen- and Außenalster. New articles from all over the world and especially from the Nico production will be shown from 10 floating pontoons step by step in heights from 100 to 300 m. The thematic complexes of the 20th century will be shown for 40 minutes in pictorial creations.
Simultaneous fireworks
Simultaneous fireworks - Berlin 2000: Since 1993 NICO has been commissioned with the fireworks for the turn of the year in Berlin. At the turn of the millennium a very special performance is offered. Simultaneous fireworks with the most beautiful objects in the world are fired With united power fireworks highlights are shown at the Victory Column, at the Brandenburg Gate and at the Palace of the Republic.
Anniversary celebration
Anniversary celebration in Trittau - We celebrate 50 years of NICO!
Product videos
For the first time, videos of the new FX series are available on VHS videocassette. Meanwhile, our product videos can be found on YouTube!
"Welcome 2001 - Berlin Open End"
Huge party in Berlin with the theme "Welcome 2001 - Berlin Open End". NICO fireworks at the Brandenburg Gate and the Victory Column were highlights of the event. Television pictures were broadcast worldwide.
New partners
Entry of new partners including Pyro Partner Berlin (Michael Kandler)
"Paperless Office"
We launch the project "Paperless Office" for all locations. New conference technology is installed and with innovative software we can work without paper now!
NICO Europe
Foundation of NICO Europe GmbH
Bengal fireworks
We launch Bengal fireworks in the category F1 to Germany. So now also end consumers can buy them. Until now, Bengal fireworks were only available for pyrotechnicians to buy.
New office in China
The NICO office in Liuyang, China opens.
Office in China is officially audited
NICO's Liuyang office in China is officially audited by the German Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM).
first unicorn firework
The first unicorn firework from NICO is launched.
To protect the environment
No more plastic pipe batteries. We stop the import of the environmentally harmful batteries.
fireworks4peace
NICO is part of the nationwide campaign "fireworks4peace" to support the Ukraine.
NICO Smoke
Launch of the new product line "NICO SMOKE" for all paintball and airsoft players.
Company anniversary
75 years NICO Group
History of Fireworks
Fireworks - how it all began...
It is generally believed that the monk Berthold Schwarz invented gunpowder. But even in ancient China, colorful fireworks were enjoyed. It is assumed that this art came from China via the Near East to Greece and Italy and finally to Europe.
The term “pyrotechnics” that is used a lot these days comes from the Greek word for fire, “pyros”, godfather. The use of “pitch & brimstone” has been handed down since the 5th century. Black powder was probably invented by the Chinese around 1200 AD and rediscovered in Europe around 1400 AD. In the 14th century, people learned how to amplify the flames of a burning pile of wood using swarmers and rockets.
History of pyrotechnics
In Italy, the custom of organizing magnificent artificial fireworks then arose. This also became more and more popular at German princely courts. Secular and spiritual rulers competed for the most magnificent spectacle of colors. Painters, sculptors and architects were commissioned to carry it out. Her goal was to skilfully incorporate the backdrops of palaces and castles, towers and bridges into the scenery.
Many composers felt inspired by the fire artworks, e.g. B. Georg Friedrich Handel for his well-known fireworks music. Over the course of the centuries, the early pyrotechnicians developed the small firework items from the giant courtly fireworks, which are now indispensable as social New Year’s entertainment.
Fireworks worldwide
In southern Europe, the Easter celebrations are “ignited”, in China the New Year is the occasion for a wonderful fire spectacle, in Great Britain the “Guy Fawkes Day” on November 5th is taken as an opportunity to organize fireworks, while the French every year for the Celebrate the “Storming of the Bastille” with rockets, firecrackers and fountains on July 14th. In Switzerland, on August 1st, the Swiss national holiday is “fired up” and in the USA, “Independence Day” is duly celebrated on July 4th and crowned with a corresponding fireworks display.
No matter where in the world people have an occasion: Celebrating with fireworks is always a celebration!
Historical illustrations from the NICO archive
Courtesy of the Pyrotechnic Industry Association.