Wiemann, the award-winning German bedroom manufacturer, is celebrating its 125th birthday this autumn.
The family-run company has come a long way from when 23-year-old Mathias Wiemann set up shop as a carpenter/furnituremaker in a 15 sqm basement of an inn in Oesede, North West Germany.
Mathias made a variety of bespoke furniture, including pews for the local church, took on an apprentice and expanded the workshop. He was also an innkeeper and farmer. In time, his son, Wilhelm, became an apprentice and eventually took over the business.
Wiemann survived boom and bust through the 1920s and 1930s, and in 1934 was named Oeseder Mobel-Industrie Mathias Wiemann – the name it is still officially known by today.
Owner and MD Markus Wiemann says: “Wiemann’s history has been interesting and inspiring. During the war, we were instructed to make barracks. Then in 1945 we were told to blow up the factory! Wilhelm Wiemann was having none of that and buried machinery and equipment in the nearby forest.
"When the British arrived a few weeks later, we were instructed to build barracks again – but we also resumed furniture production for civilians. There were tumultuous times post-war too with devastating floods from the River Dute, but forward-thinking Wilhelm pushed for local action to limit the likelihood of future flooding.”
The second half of the 20th century saw rapid expansion. Wiemann furniture went on sale all over the world – in the US, Canada, South Africa and Asia, as well as throughout Europe.
Markus adds: “We became established as one of the largest bedroom factories in Germany. Along the way, we developed our wood processing, veneering, distribution and production methods. Wiemann has a long history of investment and modernisation of production facilities, all the time focused on productivity, quality and, increasingly, sustainability.”
In 2003 Wiemann joined forces with Litmus Furniture, its sole agent for the UK and Ireland, and this is now the company’s biggest export market.
Wilhelm was succeeded by his son, Mathias, who in turn handed over to his son, Markus, who is MD today.
Markus says: “I am incredibly proud of what my family has achieved since 1900. If Mathias could have seen what his little workshop below the inn would become, he would never have believed it!
“Today we have a modern, successful business operating from a 48,000 sqm site producing attractive, practical, high-quality products which our customers cherish.
“Throughout our 125 years, colleagues across the business have consistently worked extremely hard to produce and deliver excellent products. We are fortunate in having a dedicated, motivated and loyal team.
“We are proud of our family values, culture of investment, high standards and always striving to improve. We look forward to continuing to uphold these benchmarks for the next 125 years and beyond.”
Simon Hewitt, the MD of Litmus Furniture, comments: “Congratulations to Wiemann on its milestone birthday. We are delighted to have worked with the Wiemann team for the last 22 years.
“Wiemann is a tried, trusted and reliable brand – qualities which are so important in today’s climate and which we value highly. Here’s to the next 125 years!”
Wiemann celebrated its birthday with a dinner and party in Germany in September.
Pictured: Wiemann’s 48,000 sqm site today
