Bismarckwerk

Bismarckwerk building, 2007

Bismarck works from October 1950 for more than DM 1000

The Bismarckwerk was a company in the Radevormwald district of Bergerhof , which produced motorcycles and bicycles and to which the founder of the company Alfred H. Schütte was a member as chairman of the supervisory board.

The company's existing buildings are now used for various commercial purposes, are designated as living space or are empty.

motorcycles

Motorcycles were produced under the Bismarck name from 1904 to 1956. In the first phase up to 1908, large-volume built-in motors from Minerva , Fafnir and Anzani were used . After a new start in 1931, Ilo and Sachs engines were installed.

Cycles

From the beginning, special attention was paid to the international bicycle business. Denmark , Norway and Sweden could soon be won as sales countries. It turned out, however, that the name of the former Chancellor , whose personality was known all over the world, also brought certain difficulties for business life with it, because Otto von Bismarck was not popular as a political personality everywhere . In order to meet the sentiments of the foreign markets, the registered name SKANDIA for the bicycles was chosen for the international business . SKANDIA carries the Nordic sun as a symbol.

In addition to the Scandinavian countries, the neighboring Netherlands in particular was successfully advertised, as their own bicycle industry had not yet developed there. Relatively large quantities of bicycles, which made up a considerable part of production, therefore went to the Netherlands. The own brand SIEGFRIED was brought onto the market for Bavaria . Through great efforts, Switzerland was also added as an export market, as did Finland and even the Orient .

Today BICO Zweirad Marketing GmbH is the owner of the Bismarck brand . The bicycles are manufactured by the Engelbert Meyer bicycle manufacturer from Sevelten in the Cloppenburg district.

In the local history museum Radevormwald and at IG Bismarck Zweiräder e. V. Radevormwald, original two-wheelers and their history are on display.

Transport bike from 1959
Skandia bicycle (1921)
Skandia brand sign
Ladies bike with child seat
Ladies bike from 1923
Detail of the women's bike from 1923: Hammock saddle
Troop bicycle from 1939 with a large luggage rack, hand grenade ammunition box and coat holder
Forwarding wheels
Saxonette