History
Pioneering spirit
German Julius Koeber - 150 years ago the founding father of our present-day company - set the trend in his time with his innovative ideas and entrepreneurial spirit.
Having the right feeling for sales opportunities in the national and international markets, Koeber built up a modern industrial enterprise where advanced production methods and strategic sales activities rapidly brought about the tremendous success of the ironworks in Harburg. At an early stage Koeber recognised the rapidly increasing demand for edible fats and oils and quickly concentrated on the development and construction of oil mills.
The success of the company's rubber mixing technology division in Freudenberg was almost parallel: With the manufacture and sale of kneading machines, Hermann Werner and Paul Pfleiderer laid the foundation for a new era in caoutchouc processing. The "MASTICATOR" kneading machine developed in 1900 rapidly became a global trend-setter. Independent sales agencies were set up in England, Austria and the United States, and branches in London, Paris, Moscow, Saginaw and Berlin contributed greatly to the company's growth. Intensive research and development in machines and equipment from Werner & Pfleiderer soon enhanced the growing reputation for technical excellence and utmost efficiency.
Continuous progress for Harburg and Freudenberg - in the spirit of their founders
The innovative thrust and dedication of the employees ensured that the success story of the two companies was continued between 1950 and 1970. The machines and equipment for caoutchouc and extraction technology from Harburg, a Krupp company since 1954, and rubber mixing technology from Freudenberg, ultimately earned the two companies the international reputation of a competent and powerful industrial partner.
"Krupp Elastomertechnik" was formed after Krupp took over Werner & Pfleiderer Gummitechnik in Freudenberg in 1986 and merged the two companies in 1996. The bundled expertise and the diverse use of synergies, strengthened the status and market position of the company.
In spring 2005 L. Possehl & Co. mbH acquired a 100 percent share of the company from
ThyssenKrupp Technologies.
Under the new name "Harburg-Freudenberger Maschinenbau GmbH", the new owner continues the enormous success of the company, rich in tradition, with an unchanged wide production range.
The Harburg Chronicle:
View of the Harburger Eisen- und Bronzewerke AG (HEB) works, 1910
1855
German Julius Koeber establishes an ironworks in Harburg.
1890
The sons of the company founder take over the management of the largest iron foundry in northern Germany.
1908
Koebers Eisen- und Bronzewerke" is awarded the 1st Prize for a rotary oil press at the Paris Exposition.
1910
Merger with Harburger Eisenwerke AG and Maschinenfabrik Eddelbüttel resulted in Harburger Eisen- und Bronzewerke AG (HEB).
1931/38
In the wake of Krupp participation, the 500 employees at HEB produce, among other things, mixing machines for the margarine industry and rubber injection molding machines.
1959
The company is owned 100 percent by Fried. Krupp GmbH. In the meantime mechanical tire curing presses and tire building machines are also being produced here.
1972
World innovation: The very first hydraulic curing press for passenger car tires is produced in Harburg.
1996
Krupp merges plastics and caoutchouc machines manufacture with the founding of Krupp Kunststofftechnik GmbH.
1996
With the take-over of "Werner & Pfleiderer" in Freudenberg, the company becomes the sole global supplier of the entire machine range for tire production.
1998
Founding of Krupp Elastomertechnik Belisce in Croatia for the manufacture of tire curing presses.
2002
The company is renamed "ThyssenKrupp Elastomertechnik GmbH".
2005
The company is sold to L. Possehl & Co. mbH in Lübeck and is renamed "Harburg-Freudenberger Maschinenbau GmbH".
The Freudenberg Chronicle:
1879
Founding of Werner & Pfleiderer in Stuttgart for the production and sale of the patented "MASTICATOR" kneading and mixing machine.
1969
Werner & Pfleiderer acquires Homrich (founded in 1942).
1986
The focus of the Werner & Pfleiderer Gummi-mischtechnik is the Freudenberg location.
1989
Acquisition of Midwest Machine Works Inc./USA.
1990
Werner & Pfleiderer Gummimischtechnik open their own research centre at the Freudenberg location.
1996
Founding of Krupp Elastomertechnik GmbH.
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View of the "Homrich" works in Freudenberg in 1960 |
We enjoy sending you our movie on the history of Harburg works.
