A vision becomes a successful business story
Economic development was driven by the completion of the Emden harbor and – almost simultaneously – the completion of the Dortmund-Ems-Canal. The new waterway formed an important connection of the Ruhr-Valley, industrial center of Germany, with the North Sea.
New supply businesses for the growing shipping industry emerged in Germany’s westernmost salt water port.
The First World War caused a severe break. The founders of the Emder Schiffsausrüstung, however, had a strong vision: in spite of devastated ports, run away currency decay and civil war-like environment, they believed in a successful re-emergence of the German merchant marine.
They would be proven right…
A new start after World War I
13 months after the end of the war– on December 31, 1919 – the company was founded by our predecessors.
The first offices were located at the „Hansa-Haus“ in the Ringstraße, while the old “Packhäuser” in the center of Emden were used for warehousing.
On April 1, 1927 the company moved into the I. harbor section – now „Zu den Hafenbecken“– where our headquarters, have been located ever since.
New beginning after 1945
As so many businesses in Germany, Emder Schiffsausrüstung was hit hard by the end of World War II. Destruction of the cities and the infrastructure, the shortage of food and materials marked a low point. Besides, the entire merchant marine had to be handed over to the victors.
The original vision of our founders, however, was stronger than the dire scenario:
Sleeves were rolled up and a hearty, optimistic run at reconstruction was made – failure was not an option.
From Emden into the world
Three years after the end of the war sail-making and rigging were taken up again and the first water supply vessels were put in service.
Office and warehouse buildings were rebuilt and expanded in 1952 and in 1957 another floor was added to the building. This year also saw the establishment of the branch office in Wilhelmshaven.
An important step in international expansion was the opening of Emder Schiffsausrüstung on January 1, 1969 in Rotterdam. Exactly 30 years later Singapore became the first overseas location. In 2006 Shanghai became the new Asian business headquarters.
