HISTORY

1888

The beginning

The history of the company Gebr. Holzapfel begins in Eschwege where the businessman Georg Christoph Holzapfel pursues a business house which already exists since 6 generations in the family. Be bought at an auction on the 15th August, 1888 the oldest son Johann Gustav Holzapfel with his brothers Eduard and Heinrich an art mill in Frieda.

1894

Extension of the production

The production of wax tableclothes is developed, and already in 1894 extensions are carried out for the production: on new coating machines the first leather cloth can be varnished.

1903

Beginning of the machine production

Ernst Holzapfel - son of Johann Gustav Holzapfel - moves as a sole owner in 1903 the predominantly skilled manufacturing on machine manufacture. The sons Helmut (1905) and Rolf (1910) come out from his marriage with Lina Rössing. Helmut Holzapfel becomes already early to his father a soon indispensable helper in the guidance of the whole enterprise. Rolf Holzapfel studies chemistry and pharmacy and takes over the eagle pharmacy in Eschwege. After the entry of Helmut Holzapfel in the firm the office is moved by Eschwege after Frieda.

1941

The war wartimes and post-war period

In 1941 father Helmut Holzapfel passes away. His wife Anne-Lies Holzapfel leads the enterprise by the difficulties of the wartimes and marries in 1946 Heinz Böksen, an important customer and friend of the family. The children Christian and Gabriele come out from the marriage. Heinz Böksen recognizes the meaning of the modern synthetic material development and puts substantial means in the research and the product development. Walter von Dressler, a friend of the family, cares as a sales manager of the proficient group Holzapfel for the paragraph (sale) and constructs the sale organization. Other faithful assistants protect by their enterprise experiences of many years and the readiness to the progress the development of the enterprise.

1961

Ernst-Albert Holzapfel enters into the friedola company

Prematurely the sons are prepared for their later tasks. After his entry in 1961 Ernst-Albert Holzapfel leads the production till 1973, to the year of death of Heinz Böksen, and the commercial management of the enterprise takes over then. The production administration will transfer Jürgen Holzapfel, since 1969 leader of the development department. Helmut Holzapfel, since 1970 sales manager of the affiliated company of that time Ernst Wehncke, applies himself after its integration in the proficient group Holzapfel the whole administration of the department Leisure.

1973

Ernst-Albert Holzapfel took over the commercial management of the enterprise

After structural re-organization with the integration of separate affiliated companies is friedola ® - proficient group today an enterprise with a various product program.

1983

The fourth family generation leads the enterprise

In 1983 transfers Anne-Lies Böksen, a year before her death, the enterprise to her sons.