This is the introduction to Hähnel's 1935 catalogue & gives some interesting historical information about the first 50 years of the company from it's beginnings in 1885. Hähnel manufactured such famous stove brands as Perfektus & Effekt & in later years the Vulcano brand. The catalogue will appear on the site in due course. Many thanks to my Dad, Bill Mellows for the translation. Copy of catalogue courtesy of Bo Ryman. Ernst Hähnel 50th Anniversary 1935 The consequences of the events of recent decades have borne ever more heavily, not only on the German economy, but on the whole economy of the world. At such a time it seems to me to be inappropriate to be celebrating. So I will refrain from marking the 50 year existence of my firm on 1st July, 1935 with official celebrations, but I would not wish to enter into the 3rd quarter of a century without thinking of the work and success of previous years, in order to draw forth more strength from you for improved performance. I send to you, in greeting, as a business associate of my company, the latest catalogue, because you have proved your loyalty to me over many years. In small part, you have seen the development, from the small forge to the present-day importance of the company in its special products. The founder, Ernst Wilhelm Hähnel, who died ten years ago, was a son of the Erzgebirge area. He was born on the 24th August, 1856, the child of poor shoe-makers. After serving his apprenticeship, a period of travelling, and his military service, he was happy for a while to work as a journeyman in factories where copper soldering torches were produced. Then he recalled the proverb, “One’s own oven is worth gold!” In 1885 he built his own house, and in the built-on forge he manufactured copper soldering torches, which he sold to the metal toy-making factories, plumbers etc. in the local area. The business expanded ever more successfully, due to his diligence and perseverance. The reliability of Hähnel’s products, which since 1891 up until the present day has brought us the world famous petrol soldering torch and petrol blow-lamp, gained the company more and more new customers to join the existing ones. By 1897 he had already been awarded the Gold Medal at the Leipzig Trade and Industry Exhibition for outstanding performance. This recognition also helped the Hähnel factory to become known in the widest circles, with the result that the owner was obliged to undertake rebuilding and expansion of his factory. Soon offices and store-rooms were erected, as well as accommodation for office staff and workers. Since the industrialist’s own house was now needed as a store-room, Ernst Hähnel built a lovely country villa, surrounded with greenery and the rustling of the nearby woods, of which the entire village could be proud. At the same time he built a second factory in what was at that time Bohemia, on the Austro-Hungarian border, which he also rapidly and efficiently developed. Thus Ernst Hähnel was able to mark his 25th business jubilee with satisfaction and pride, and say, "Through my own efforts I am, with God’s help, what I am." At the height of its development the firm, like so many others, was totally surprised by the Great War. Severe problems arose for the owner, as he lost almost his entire workforce, which was called away to the colours. Now Ernst Hähnel proved he still had his old vigour, by means of which, in spite of a lack of workers, things went so well that he kept his business on its feet. He then had to battle extraordinary difficulties, when the government confiscated all stocks of non-ferrous metal, and he was forced to manufacture blow-lamps in steel. By means of ingenious construction he was able to build a substitute which was a complete replacement for the previously produced brass blow-lamp. Ill-health forced Ernst Hähnel to consider retirement from business in 1918, in order to enjoy his well-earned rest. On 1st October he handed the firm over to his son and son-in-law with the wish that they would take the business forward in the old spirit. The length of the war caused big problems. Not only had the entire export market been lost, but the war had enabled the foreign competition to gain experience and make technical achievements, so that they now dominated the world market for the firm’s products. Now the onus was on the new leadership of the firm, for their part, to prove that the spirit of Ernst Hähnel was still there. New machines and tools were ordered, and building work carried out so that Hähnel’s products could be mass-produced in large numbers. The competition battle was undertaken, and the technical facility of the firm became such that it could keep pace with both domestic and foreign competition. It didn’t take long before the works was fully staffed again, at the same time as communications and relationships, both domestic and foreign, were permanently expanded, through personal contact. When worldwide political events [such as the Depression], caused global short-time working from time to time, the stable level of employment enjoyed by the firm was due to the quality of the product, which was acclaimed both at home and abroad as first class. I thank you, my worthy business associate, for your loyalty, which you have shown to me for five decades, and I ask you to continue to give me your goodwill and trust, and to recommend my company. The illustrated catalogue I send you today is proof of the significant extent and the extraordinary flexibility of my company. I trust that it will contribute towards retaining my existing customers as well as bringing in new ones. “The Best of Luck!” We also have these undated factory pictures courtesy of Mats Hennig.
Second factory on the Austro-Hungarian border was since 1905 in Brandau .Later Brandov C.S.R. Source : Chronicle of city Brandau on www.kreis-bruex.de
