The Yim family founded Heatmax, Inc. in 1989, the company that created HotHands® Warmers.
While the original concept of hand warmers dates back to Japanese inventor Niichi Matoba, who patented a heat-producing oxidation reaction using platinum catalysis, the specific HotHands product line originated with the Yim family's Heatmax company. They began distributing HotHands® Warmers to Walmart in 1989, launching the brand into widespread use. The company's US headquarters is located in Dalton, Georgia, where HotHands and other related products are manufactured and marketed.
- Niichi Matoba: Invented the underlying principle of heat-producing oxidation reactions for hand warmers.
- Yim Family: Founded Heatmax, Inc. and launched the HotHands® Warmer brand.
