Olsberger Hut

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Olsberg GmbH
legal form GmbH
Seat Olsberg , Germany
management Stefan Osebold

Ulrich Herrmann

Number of employees 430
sales EUR 59.665 million (2011)
Website olsberg.com

Aerial view of Olsberg with Olsberger Hütte

The Olsberger hut (today Olsberg GmbH ) is a manufacturer of industrial products from cast iron and sheet metal as well as a specialist for the production of heat from renewable energy sources based on logs and pellets. The operation goes back to late medieval - early modern roots and has been operated since then without any notable interruptions. First of all, the ore of the Brilon Eisenberg was smelted. In the 19th century, the smelter adapted to the changed market conditions by giving up smelting in favor of the production of cast goods.

history

Early modern age

A hut near Olsberg is first mentioned in 1495 when a Brilon co-owner sold shares in a hut near Olsberg. Another mention comes from the year 1536. In 1566 the hut was rebuilt. The hut was east of Olsberg am Gierskoppbach . This also supplied the water required for operation by means of a hut ditch. The charcoal, which is also required for operation, was produced in the neighboring forests. The ore came from the Eisenberg in Brilon.

The hut was owned by some citizens of Olsberg, who had to obtain permission from the owners of Schellenstein Castle to use the water . They granted permission in 1585 for use on the condition that each of the five trades at the time had to do one day of clamping work. A little later the number of clamping services was reduced. In return, the Wrede house was granted joint use rights to the hut.

Despite abundant rainfall, it often happened in summer that there was not enough water. In winter, the freezing of the brook prevented production. For these reasons, too, operation was limited to an average of three months a year. An operating time of thirteen weeks was recorded in the storage register for the Duchy of Westphalia from 1612. Compared to other companies in the region, this was quite a low figure.

Casting process (watercolor by Wilhelm Castendyck between 1854 and 1857)

During the 17th century the owners of the hut became owners of the most important mines on the Eisenberg. The driving force during this period was Johannes Hester (1657–1724). During this time, iron processing in Olsberg, based on the production of the smelter, also increased significantly. In 1717, 23 farm owners were also blacksmiths. The then six trades defined the company's goals with a contract in 1691. Five of the participants came from Olsberg and Brilon . An Esloher was also involved. Four trades founded the Johannesmaaßen trade union on Eisenberg in 1716.

Since 1697 there was a legal dispute between the shareholders, which the Esloher trade union Johann König triggered. He complained about the quality of the hut and the insufficient production volume. It was about a delivery for a client from Amsterdam . This proves that the hut had business relationships beyond the region. The legal dispute reached the Reich Chamber of Commerce without an agreement being reached by 1723. As a result, König left the company. A new union was then formed. This included the Brilon JH Kannegießer, von der Becke, Schlador and Iskenius as well as the Olsbergers Johannes Kropff and Johannes Hester. The Kropff and Kannegießer trades integrated their rights to the Olsberger Hütte into their network of other mines and businesses. Since the early 1750s, the shares have increasingly been concentrated in the Kropff family. So the family inherited the von der Becke. At the end of the 18th century, the Olsberger Hütte union consisted of 132 members. HC Kropff held 79 shares, FB Kropff-Hester 28 shares and Johann Richard Kannegießer 25 shares.

In 1710, the smelter used an average of seventy loads of ore a week. With the increase in ore extraction, the smelter's production could also be increased. In 1740 the blast furnace was enlarged. In 1755, the union tried to get permission from Bergmeister Kannegießer to blow the hut twice a year. In 1780 the workers at the works decided to create a tunnel on the Olsberg side of the Eisenberg. This was laid out over the next fourteen years. Elector Maximilian Franz of Austria came to Olsberg in person for the inauguration in 1794 .

The Olsberger Hut, painting by Engelbert Seibertz , 1832

Between 1800 and 1810, the smelter produced an average of around 277 tons of pig iron per year. For comparison: the Hoppecker Hütte produced an average of 315 tons at that time. At that time, however, it was only 138 tons per year at the Wocklumer Hütte . The production facilities corresponded to the technical standard of the time. Cast goods on a larger scale were probably only added in 1809.

At first the company was a pure smelting operation. Since 1700 at the latest, there is evidence of an attached hammer mill for the production of wrought iron. This produced 120 wrought iron carts in 1711. The business has belonged to the Kannegießer family since the 1720s. Hammer also got iron from Bontkirchener and Hoppecker Hütte. The bar iron was sold to smiths in the area, but was also sold at the All Saints' Fair in Soest . The Olsberger Hammer processed only a small part of the iron produced by the smelter. Most of it was processed on the Kropff family's hammer mills in neighboring Bigge . From there, the bar iron was sold to blacksmiths in the region, but it was also sold in Soest, Lippstadt and Münster .

In addition to assistants, two foremen and three smiths were employed. In addition, the company directly or indirectly gave employment to miners, woodcutters, charcoal burners, carters and day laborers.

19th century

In view of the decline of most of the pre-industrial plants in the Sauerland against the background of competition from cheap English imported iron, it is remarkable that the Olsberger Hütte was able to hold its own. At the beginning of industrialization , the plant adapted quite successfully. In 1822 the trades signed a new contract. The shareholders agreed to concentrate their capital primarily on the Olsberger Hütte. Instead, the trades stopped investing in other plants. This made it possible to modernize the plant at the expense of other plants, such as the Knickhütte and the Hoppecker Hütte.

The Olsberger Hütte around 1855, lithograph by T. Wildmann

The company was built from scratch in 1823. The hammer mills, which were no longer competitive with the puddle mills, were replaced by the transition to foundry technology (as in other iron industrial works in the Sauerland). In 1823 the Olsberger Hütte now had a high-performance blast furnace 9 m high, a molded casting plant and a grinding plant. In the vicinity of the hut on the way to Elleringhausen there were smaller buildings of the "hut barracks". Miners and iron workers, charcoal burners and carters lived there. A cylinder blower powered by water power provided the necessary air supply. In 1825 the company was inspected by the chief miner and described as exemplary. The production was now about 90 quintals per day, after it had been only about a third of it before. Furthermore, the pig iron production, which was not processed further, was sold to the hammer mills in the area.

Ironworks inspector Wilhelm Castendyck around 1855

A steam engine was added in 1854 and a year later a so-called cupola furnace . The first steam engine developed 12 hp. It was thus possible to produce cast iron from pig iron much more efficiently than before. In place of the expensive charcoal, hard coal was now used for smelting. The focus of production shifted from the manufacture of pig iron to the manufacture of cast goods.

Essentially, the company produced boiler stoves for agriculture (for making cattle feed). At times, the Olsberger Hütte was the largest manufacturer in Europe in this production segment. Other entrepreneurs based themselves on the dimensions of the ovens manufactured in Olsberg. There were also charcoal boxes, waffle irons, irons, grave crosses and other cast iron goods. In the middle of the 1870s, the production of (then modern) room stoves and cookers started.

However, the company also had to cope with setbacks. Especially after the connection of the Upper Sauerland to the railway, the blast furnaces in Bredelar and Olsberg could no longer compete with the overpowering large-scale industry of the Ruhr area ; therefore both blast furnaces (as the last in the Sauerland) were blown out in 1881. However, due to the previous shift in focus to foundry technology, this did not pose a threat to the company's existence. The company continued on this path of specialization. In 1895 an enamelling factory was built. In addition, two hydropower turbines were installed. In order to always have enough water, the hut pond was created. With the connection of Olsberg to the power grid in 1909/1910, electricity could be increasingly used as drive energy.

The plant flourished around the turn of the century. The number of employees rose from 120 in 1893 to 210 in 1900. A problem in the otherwise largely de-industrialized environment turned out to be the acquisition of qualified workers, which limited the plant's growth.

Former of the Olsberger Hütte around 1885

In-house factory regulations were introduced in 1892 . A six-member workers' committee was also planned. Towards the end of the 19th century, the hut became one of the origins of the labor movement in the Catholic Sauerland. As early as 1897, the majority of the workers joined the Christian Miners 'Association before they switched to the Christian Metalworkers ' Association at the turn of the century . In 1910 there was a long strike, which could only be ended after months and through mediation from a third party.

20th century

At the beginning of the First World War, the plant suffered from conscription. The factory was partially converted to the manufacture of war-essential products. After the death of the last sole owner Ida Kropff-Federath in 1918, the hut became the property of the Kropff-Federrath Foundation. The diocese of Paderborn temporarily took over management as a trustee before the plant was sold to relatives of the last owner in 1920. Hermann Everken, who moved from Essen to Olsberg, took over the management of the company, which is now run as a GmbH . Although the Olsberger Hütte was also affected by the economic crises of the Weimar period , these did not threaten its existence. For the workers, in times of short-time working and temporary closures, it proved to be an advantage that most of them had small farms. Towards the end of the 1920s, the focus of production shifted more and more towards the manufacture of room stoves. In the 1930s in particular, the products were technically improved with a view to saving fuel. The production of radiators, on the other hand, did not turn out to be profitable and was later abandoned. The workforce grew from about 300 employees in 1920 to about 400 employees in 1938. In 1939 the GmbH became a KG: Olsberger Hütte, Hermann Everken KG.

On the left the poet Julius Stinde . Ida Kropff-Federath (among other things the owner of the Olsberger Hütte) stands on the stairs of her villa (around 1900)

During the Second World War , the Olsberger Hütte continued to produce stoves, but mainly delivered to the Wehrmacht . Wood carburetor accessories were also manufactured. The called-up workers were replaced by prisoners of war and forced labor . Immediately before the end of the war, the plant was converted into a camp for prisoners of war and forced labor. In particular, when they were relocated, there was also damage to operating facilities. Preparations for resumption of production began as early as July 1945, but this could only take place in early 1946.

After the Second World War, the company was able to benefit from great demand as part of the reconstruction. A stove for heating and cooking was particularly popular. The company reacted to the changed market conditions during the economic boom by modernizing its products and, since 1956, by starting to manufacture oil stoves. The plant was also modernized internally. Since 1959, the ovens have been mass-produced on roller conveyors. A new foundry and modern storage buildings were also built. Gradually, the demand for agricultural boilers and coal stoves decreased. Instead, the company has focused on manufacturing electric storage heaters since 1967. In addition, the production of heating systems and hot water heaters began. In addition, the foundry was developed into a modern customer foundry. When the Warsteiner Eisenwerke went bankrupt in 1967 , the Olsberger Hütte at the Warstein location took over the production of oil stoves. The Olsberger Hütte then took over other different brands from insolvent competing companies, but produced them in Olsberg.

In 1977 the Junker foundry in Brilon was taken over. Since 1983, the furnace casting production for in-house production in the company's foundries has been reduced more and more and these have been converted to customer foundries. A relic from the time when smelting and mining were still closely linked was that employees belonged to the miners' insurance . Because of the higher contributions, the management tried to leave the miners' union. Only since 1991 are newly hired employees no longer insured for miners.

Today's corporate structure

Olsberg employs around 430 people worldwide. The foundry products manufactured for the capital goods industry can be found in robots, electronic drive solutions, construction machinery and in water supply. Sheet metal products are manufactured for branded companies such as WMF, Stiebel-Eltron, Vaillant or AEG, and they are also sold under their own brand for electrical heating systems. Fireplace stoves and pellet stoves are sold under the brand name "Olsberg" via specialist retailers and under the brand name "Fireplace" in hardware stores.

The company has production sites in Olsberg, Brilon, Königshütte and, as part of a majority shareholding, in Hungary. A subsidiary in Japan sells electric heating systems as well as fireplace and pellet stoves.

Edward Kersting became managing partner of Olsberger Hütte in 1965, succeeding Hans Everken. In 2000 he handed the company over to his son Ralf. In 2014 the company was renamed from Olsberg Hermann Everken GmbH to Olsberg GmbH . Ralf Kersting left the company at the end of 2017; Stefan Osebold and Ulrich Herrmann took over the management.

literature

  • Frank Dingerdissen, Stefanie Ernst, Andre König: Early sites of the iron and steel industry. The ironworks and hammer industry in the Brilon / Olsberg area between 1700 and 1850 as reflected in the ironworks and hammer books. In: Stefan Baumeir, Katharina Schlimmgen-Ehmke (Hrsg.): Golden times. Sauerland economic citizens from the 17th to the 19th century. Essen 2001, p. 43 f.
  • Heinz Lettermann: Elector Maximilian came to Olsberg personally. The history of the Olsberger Hütte and its development. In: Yearbook Hochsauerland. Vol. 1987, pp. 84-87.
  • Winfried Reininghaus, Reinhard Köhne: Mining, smelting and hammer works in the Duchy of Westphalia in the Middle Ages and the early modern period. Münster 2008, pp. 363–365.
  • Paul Vorderwülbecke: The Olsberger Hut. An industrial story. Grobbel Druck und Verlag, Fredeburg, 1993, ISBN 3-922659-84-5 .

Web links

Commons : Olsberger Hütte  - collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b c Winfried Reininghaus, Reinhard Köhne: Mining, smelting and hammer works in the Duchy of Westphalia in the Middle Ages and the early modern period. Münster 2008, p. 363.
  2. ↑ a b c d e Frank Dingerdissen, Stefanie Ernst, Andre König: Early sites of the iron and steel industry. The ironworks and hammer industry in the Brilon / Olsberg area between 1700 and 1850 as reflected in the ironworks and hammer books. In: Stefan Baumeir, Katharina Schlimmgen-Ehmke (Hrsg.): Golden times. Sauerland economic citizens from the 17th to the 19th century. Essen 2001, p. 43.
  3. ↑ a b c Reinhard Köhne: 431 years of one piece, but no old iron - on the mining history of the Olsberger Hütte in the Sauerland. ( lwl.org ( Memento of the original from August 14, 2014 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. ). @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.lwl.org
  4. ↑ a b c d Winfried Reininghaus, Reinhard Köhne: Mining, smelting and hammer works in the Duchy of Westphalia in the Middle Ages and the early modern period. Münster 2008, p. 364.
  5. ^ A b Heinz Lettermann: Elector Maximilian came to Olsberg personally. The history of the Olsberger Hütte and its development. In: Yearbook Hochsauerland. 1987, p. 84.
  6. ^ Winfried Reininghaus, Reinhard Köhne: Mining, smelting and hammer works in the Duchy of Westphalia in the Middle Ages and the early modern period. Münster, 2008, p. 365.
  7. ↑ The Olsberger Hut. An industrial story. Olsberg 1993, p. 24 f.
  8. ↑ The Olsberger Hut. An industrial story. Olsberg 1993, p. 25 f.
  9. ↑ The Olsberger Hut. An industrial story. Olsberg 1993, p. 26 f.
  10. ↑ The Olsberger Hut. An industrial story. Olsberg 1993, pp. 27-30, 34.
  11. ↑ The Olsberger Hut. An industrial story. Olsberg 1993, p. 31.
  12. ↑ The Olsberger Hut. An industrial story. Olsberg 1993, p. 108.
  13. ↑ Jens Hahnwald: Black Brothers in Red Underwear… Workers and the labor movement in the Arnsberg, Brilon and Meschede districts. In: Ibid., ISBN 3-87023-192-0 , p. 266 f.
  14. ↑ The Olsberger Hut. An industrial story. Olsberg 1993, pp. 37, 48, 108.
  15. ↑ The Olsberger Hut. An industrial story. Olsberg 1993, pp. 49, 51.
  16. ↑ The Olsberger Hut. An industrial story. Olsberg 1993, p. 52 f.
  17. ↑ The Olsberger Hut. An industrial story. Olsberg 1993, p. 54.
  18. ↑ The Olsberger Hut. An industrial story. Olsberg 1993, pp. 56-60.
  19. ↑ The Olsberger Hut. An industrial story. Olsberg 1993, p. 61.
  20. ↑ The Olsberger Hut. An industrial story. Olsberg 1993, p. 110.
  21. ↑ www.olsberg.com
  22. ^ "Edward Kersting was an entrepreneur with social responsibility" , Westfalenpost , October 17, 2017.
  23. ↑ IHK President Ralf Kersting leaves the Olsberger Hütte

Coordinates: 51 ° 21 ′ 21.4 "  N , 8 ° 29 ′ 56.4"  E