The origin of Norda, like that of many other companies in the flavor and fragrance industry, was a founder immigrant, Hermann J. Kohl, who came to the United States from Germany. He gained his experience and knowledge in the industry with Morana Inc., one of the earliest chemical firms in this industry, and left in 1924 to found Norda Essential Oil and Chemical Company.
The original Norda organization was a trader and dealer in essential oils and aroma chemicals. However, Norda early started compounding flavors and fragrances, with a strong position in flavors developing during the 1930s.
The company’s next move was into manufacturing of chemicals with a small plant in East Hanover, New Jersey, in 1941, followed by an essential oils processing plant in Boonton, New Jersey, in 1942, processing essential oils for their isolates.
