Founded in 1929 by Paul Henke, the company played a key role in the establishment and growth of the East Westphalian furniture industry. It recognised the signs of the times early on and set the tone as a fittings specialist and development partner with innovation, flexibility, customer focus and high added value.
It took a great deal of courage to start your own business in 1929. Unemployment in Germany stood at 3.2 million, political unrest was weighing heavily on the German Empire, and many people had bleak expectations for the future.
During this period, a 27-year-old young man in Bad Oeynhausen made an extremely courageous decision and resolved to take his future into his own hands. Paul Henke founded his company!
The economic situation had improved, but many people in Germany saw the signs of the approaching Second World War.
Paul Henke continued to work intensively on his success and opened a supply business for local furniture manufacturers in Eidinghausen, in the basement of a residential building and a wooden barrack on the property. A punching machine was used to produce floor support sleeves from strip steel in a sequential cutting process.
Bad Oeynhausen and Löhne were victims of heavy bombing raids in the final stages of the war. Paul Henke was one of the most optimistic people at that time. Instead of waiting to see how things would develop, as many others did, he made the decision of a true entrepreneur and began construction of a new two-storey commercial building with an area of approximately 350 square metres.
A sensational economic boom is underway in the Federal Republic of Germany.
Paul Henke also benefits significantly from the successes of reconstruction and sets up an electroplating plant. A sales representative is hired to attract even more customers. Paul Henke’s quality products are also attracting attention in neighbouring countries: the first exports go to Belgium.
Paul Henke is delighted that a second export market has opened up in the Netherlands. This development was driven by the domestic furniture industry, which discovered a very large sales market there. The excellent relations continue to this day.
All of Europe marvels at the reconstruction and economic miracle in the Federal Republic of Germany. Paul Henke also continues his success story: in 1954, the company is entered in the commercial register.
Great sadness among the Henke family and the company’s employees, and widespread sympathy throughout the industry. Company founder Paul Henke dies far too young at the age of only 57. His wife Hedwig successfully continues to run the business with her sons Günter and Dieter.
The plastic age begins at Paul Henke. With the purchase of a state-of-the-art injection moulding machine from Battenfeld and two tools, a new era in the company’s history begins. Plastic plinth corners and base supports are produced in large quantities and sell like hot cakes in the developing East Westphalian kitchen furniture industry.
Paul Henke continues to develop steadily, and by the end of the year, the company’s accounts show its first million in sales, placing it among the leading companies in the East Westphalian furniture industry. Capacity at the site is becoming limited, and thoughts turn to further expansion.
For Paul Henke, this year marks another milestone in the company’s history with the move to Löhne-Gohfeld: in the spring, a plot of land measuring over 5,000 square metres is purchased, on which a 1,000 square metre production hall and a 200 square metre office building are constructed in the same year. Enough for the next few decades – or so many believed at the time.
At Paul Henke, the company in Löhne-Gohfeld reaches ten employees for the first time, growing from a small business to a medium-sized enterprise.
A giant leap into the future. Ahead of many other companies, which were even larger at the time, Henke introduced EDP – ‘electronic data processing’. As so often, Henke had the ‘right instinct’ about which developments would be pioneering.
Value creation is significantly increased by establishing an in-house toolmaking facility covering an area of approximately 600 square metres. At the same time, a further plot of land covering an area of 3,200 square metres is purchased for future expansion.
Paul Henke produces its first million-dollar success: the first plinth height adjuster is manufactured. Under the management of Günter and Dieter Henke, the company achieves sensational success in the kitchen furniture industry with this product.
Paul Henke continues to invest in the future: the first zinc die-casting machine is installed and the paint shop with manual spray booth begins operations. The office building, which is now ‘bursting at the seams’, is rebuilt, with a tool shop behind it.
The next generation follows in the footsteps of the company founder: Roger Henke, son of Dieter Henke, joins Paul Henke as a tool mechanic. The company remains at the cutting edge of technology: master controllers for injection moulding machines are introduced.
Deep sadness among the workforce and all business associates: Günter Henke passes away at the age of only 49. He had played a decisive role in preparing for the company’s first appearance at the ‘Interzum’ trade fair in Cologne.
The leap across the pond is a success, with Henke products being presented at a trade fair in the USA for the first time. In Löhne-Gohfeld, the company rents 6,000 square metres of hall space from the former Möbel Witte company.
Dieter Henke takes on the huge challenge of running the company on his own, laying the foundation for the unprecedented growth of today’s companies.
Germany is reunited and a new economic miracle is on the horizon. Paul Henke prepares for the emerging furniture boom: the 100th injection moulding machine is put into operation.
An automatic painting system increases productivity and expands the range of expertise. Independence from external service providers is further strengthened. The number of employees rises to 120.
The company continues to expand in Löhne, but also seizes the opportunity to purchase a manufacturer of decorative and technical plastic profiles that is in financial difficulties: as a sister company of Paul Henke, project Kunststofftechnik GmbH in Bad Salzuflen is brought back into orderly financial circumstances. The two companies now complement each other in their product ranges.
The ‘Witte Halls’ are purchased together with the 10,000 square metre site.
The computer-controlled shuttle for 10,240 sample boxes is put into operation in the sample room. The sales department can now see which samples are in stock. The impressive structure is 18 metres high and weighs 45,840 kilograms.
Henke is gearing up for the demands of the next millennium. Roger Henke is appointed as an additional managing director, and his sister Jessica Henke joins the company as an industrial clerk. A 1,400 square metre hall belonging to a neighbouring business is purchased and converted into a state-of-the-art paint shop. The telephone system is expanded to accommodate up to 200 extensions. Two 18-metre-high shuttles are installed in the paint department, providing space for 6,960 paint containers.
Paul Henke’s toolmaking department is getting an 8-metre-high tool shuttle. A master computer manages 2,400 different parts, from simple screws to milling cutters, and controls them right up to the point of ordering.
Paul Henke’s heating system is now also computer-controlled. The Henke catalogue is published for the first time in ring binder form, with a print run of 3,000 copies.
Paul Henke purchases another neighbouring property with halls and office buildings at auction. The total company premises in Löhne-Gohfeld now cover more than 38,000 square metres. The newly introduced ISO 9001/2000 quality management system is in line with the trends of the time.
For the first time, Henke-Beschläge receives an order from Germany’s flagship industry, the automotive sector. Over a period of six years, a good two million plastic strips are manufactured for the VW Golf 5.
High-tech is continuously improving the possibilities in toolmaking at Paul Henke. Employees are enthusiastic about the purchase of a latest-generation laser welding machine.
Paul Henke purchases its first fully electric injection moulding machine. The shipping department expands by 300 square metres. An Ergo-Tech 200t with robot is the 300th injection moulding machine to be installed at Paul Henke.
Paul Henke and project present themselves at the ZOW trade fair in Bad Salzuflen. The trade audience responds very positively to the new products on display: the Vario handle profile, the Henke angle profile with corners and the 2008 plinth profile.
Construction begins on the new 1,600 square metre Hall 17. This will be home to the new Paul Henke landmark, the TowerMat integrated into the hall, which at a height of 28 metres can accommodate almost 3,000 tools.
Hall 17 and the TowerMat are completed and put into operation. This makes production at Paul Henke even more effective and efficient. Operations management, quality assurance and engineering are given modern, well-equipped offices in the new hall.
Paul Henke purchases its 330th Demag injection moulding machine. A modern, 300-square-metre in-house exhibition is set up. This now provides an opportunity to showcase products to customers in a highly representative setting. The administrative staff are delighted to gain additional office space in the rooms of the old exhibition.
The certified management system in accordance with DIN ISO 9001:2008 is introduced.
The ‘choice-h’ internal pull-out, a new height adjustment for plinth feet and an opaque ventilation grille are new products at the trade fair, attracting many visitors to Paul Henke’s stand at ZOW.
A new cooling system for the injection moulding tools will be installed in the production halls during the summer holidays. With the new highly efficient cooling system, which significantly reduces energy consumption once again, Paul Henke considers himself well positioned in this area for the next two decades.
Paul Henke is changing the ‘face’ of Brückenstraße: as part of a fundamental renovation of the office building’s façade, all windows are also being completely replaced. All colleagues now benefit from modern shading systems that keep out the sun’s rays.
The largest investment in Paul Henke’s history: 20 purely electric Demag injection moulding machines are put into operation. This investment, worth several million euros, not only further increases production efficiency. Employees also benefit, as the machines, which operate without hydraulics, are much quieter and require less frequent readjustment.
The coronavirus outbreak at the beginning of the year poses unprecedented challenges for people, the industry and the company. Investments are being put on hold. Protecting employees and ensuring reliable delivery to customers are top priorities.
1 billion parts sold.
Expansion of Hall 18 by 2,541 square metres to a total area of 19,589 square metres.
Henke Gruppe
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