Beginnings - Keystone Scent Company began in 1948 as Keystone Scent Conditioner Corporation. The company was to produce a product to be used in wall air freshener units for restrooms, hotels, restaurants, and other commercial buildings. First in its industry, the company discovered that it could saturate a ceramic block with oil to emit fragrance over a substantial period of time.  Keystone Scent Conditioner Corporation manufactured the new ceramic product in Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania Scent Company was formed as its distribution company.

 

New Markets - In the late 1960’s, a businessman from Puerto Rico came across the ceramic stone and decided it would make a good air freshener in his automobile.  He began to resell the product to the automotive industry in Puerto Rico.  From 1970 to 1990, sales in Puerto Rico increased steadily and, as a result, over 60% of the company’s sales in the 1990’s came from Puerto Rico.  The automotive market eventually accounted for 90% of total sales, and marketing efforts shifted to automotive use and away from use as a room air freshener.

  

Remaking - New owners acquired the company in 1995 as its founder retired.  The company had not made significant investment in product development for many years.  The same design and packaging were being used as was developed for the original purpose.  The company had also not developed marketing or sales distribution programs.  On the strength of original design of the product, sales had grown by word of mouth.  Manufacture of the block was also done in 1995 largely as it had been in 1948.  Thus, the new owners invested heavily in the development of the product, packaging, marketing tools, distribution channels and a sales representative organization.  In 2001, the company relocated to Baltimore, Maryland and in October of 2009 shifted manufacturing to a larger dedicated facility in Ohio and sales and marketing to new offices in Baltimore.