From Carpet Factory to International Corporate Group

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Hilda Sharp
5 years ago
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1 From Carpet Factory to International Corporate Group

The Vorwerk Group 1883 The brothers Carl and Adolf Vorwerk found the

1897 Carl Vorwerk further develops the English looms and applies for

Soon after, production commences in the company s own machine shop.

company and becomes sole managing partner.

invented on the chance discovery of a production error.

1909 Vorwerk becomes a registered carpet trademark, creating serious

2 The Vorwerk Group 1883 The brothers Carl and Adolf Vorwerk found the Barmer Teppichfabrik Vorwerk & Co. in Wuppertal on April Carl Vorwerk further develops the English looms and applies for his own patent. Soon after, production commences in the company s own machine shop August Mittelsten Scheid, Carl Vorwerk s son-in-law, joins the company and becomes sole managing partner The company celebrates its 25th anniversary by this time, Vorwerk provides jobs for some 500 people The Vorwerk Products 1883 Production of high-quality carpets commences Vorwerk patents a new, closely woven carpet that Carl Vorwerk invented on the chance discovery of a production error Besides carpets, Vorwerk now also sells its own looms Vorwerk becomes a registered carpet trademark, creating serious competition for oriental carpets. Contemporary History 1886 Karl Benz builds the first automobile The Statue of Liberty goes up in New York Carl Gustav Röntgen discovers X-rays The first 100,000 HP steam engine is built The Wuppertal suspension railway opens.

1920 The 1920s is a period of extreme economic

marking a new chapter in the history of the company.

The plant is almost completely destroyed in an air

Erich and Werner Mittelsten Scheid take over

1920 1940 1929 Vorwerk chief engineer Engelbert

A patent is taken out on the Kobold vacuum cleaner

Diverse accessories follow, including a hair dryer

3 1920 The 1920s is a period of extreme economic fluctuation between record profits and difficult phases. Werner Mittelsten Scheid introduces direct sales marking a new chapter in the history of the company Vorwerk Folletto, the first international Kobold company, is founded in Italy The war puts a stop to direct sales. The plant is almost completely destroyed in an air raid. Dr. Erich and Werner Mittelsten Scheid take over management of the company Vorwerk chief engineer Engelbert Gorissen develops a small, hand-held vacuum cleaner. A patent is taken out on the Kobold vacuum cleaner and sales begin. Diverse accessories follow, including a hair dryer and a grooming attachment for horses The one millionth Kobold is sold First World War The radio takes the world by storm Lindbergh makes the first non-stop flight from New York to Paris. First Football World Cup Championship is held in Uruguay Second World War The United Nations (UNO) is founded.

1953 Following the death of his brother,

4 1953 Following the death of his brother, Dr. Erich Mittelsten Scheid heads the company alone Dr. Jörg Mittelsten Scheid joins the Executive Board Vorwerk founds the Wuppertal-based akf bank Vorwerk founds the facility management company Hygienic Service Gebäudereinigung und Umweltpflege GmbH (today s HECTAS Gebäudedienste) Starting 1955 Systematic expansion of the product lines floor care and kitchen appliances, refrigerators and washing machines The original Thermomix goes on the market Market launch of the Tiger cylinder vacuum cleaner Mount Everest is conquered for the first time The Berlin Wall goes up Neil Armstrong becomes the first human being to land on the moon The Peace Movement is formed in Europe and the USA.

1990 Vorwerk opens a branch in China; other

internationalization of Direct Sales continues

2001 Lux Asia Pacific, headquartered in Singapore,

-based JAFRA Cosmetics has been a member of the

The company produces and sells skin care products,

2008 125 years of Vorwerk with some 560,000 sales

1990 2000 2008 1991 The hard floor polishing

2007 JAFRA Cosmetics launches the Dynamics product

cleaners, but also water purifiers, washing

5 1990 Vorwerk opens a branch in China; other international branches follow in eastern Europe internationalization of Direct Sales continues apace Lux Asia Pacific, headquartered in Singapore, becomes part of the Vorwerk group Since 2004, the U.S.-based JAFRA Cosmetics has been a member of the Vorwerk group. The company produces and sells skin care products, cosmetics and perfumes years of Vorwerk with some 560,000 sales advisers, representatives, consultants and employees all around the world Vorwerk Direct Selling Ventures starts up The hard floor polishing appliance, Pulilux, comes out JAFRA Cosmetics launches the Dynamics product line Vorwerk begins selling not only vacuum cleaners, but also water purifiers, washing machines and air purifiers in the Asia-Pacific region Sales of the Feelina Ironing System commence IBM presents the first PC to the world Fall of the Berlin Wall Birth of Dolly the sheep, the first mammal to be cloned Inauguration of the world s highest skyscraper in Taipeh (508m).

VORWERK CORPORATE PRESENTATION. Status: November 22, 2018

VORWERK CORPORATE PRESENTATION Status: November 22, 2018 Company Company portrait 1/2 Vorwerk has been a family-owned company since its foundation in 1883. Vorwerk stands for the direct route to the customer,