History of Faber-Castell: More Than 260 Years of Innovation and Craftsmanship

Founded in 1761 by cabinet maker Kaspar Faber in the village of Stein near Nuremberg, Germany, Faber-Castell is one of the world's oldest and largest manufacturers of pencils, pens, and art supplies. For more than 260 years, the company has remained under the ownership of the Faber family, making it one of the oldest continuously family-owned industrial businesses in the world. Through eight generations of family leadership, Faber-Castell has combined traditional craftsmanship with continuous innovation, becoming a trusted global brand for artists, students, professionals, and writers.

The company's story began when Kaspar Faber started making simple wooden pencils by hand. Although the business initially served local markets, it expanded dramatically under the leadership of his great-grandson, Lothar von Faber, who took over the company in 1839. Recognizing the growing international demand for high-quality writing instruments, Lothar modernized production by improving the graphite-and-clay manufacturing process originally developed by Nicolas-Jacques Conté in France and Joseph Hardtmuth in Austria at the end of the eighteenth century. By refining the mixture of graphite and clay and increasing manufacturing efficiency, he produced pencils with more consistent hardness, smoother writing performance, and higher quality.

Lothar also transformed the pencil industry through standardization and branding. He introduced the world's first branded, hexagonal pencil and established consistent standards for pencil length, hardness grades, and lead quality. These innovations greatly improved product reliability and helped establish many of the conventions still used in pencil manufacturing today.

During the mid-nineteenth century, Faber expanded beyond Germany into international markets. Branch offices were established in New York in 1849 and London in 1851, enabling the company to build a worldwide distribution network. At the same time, Faber diversified its manufacturing by producing slide rules, slate products, inks, and paints through factories in Germany and France, broadening its range of educational and artistic products.

A major milestone occurred in 1898, when Baroness Ottilie von Faber married Count Alexander zu Castell-Rüdenhausen. Following the marriage, the company adopted the name Faber-Castell, combining the two distinguished family names. The new name soon became synonymous with premium quality, precision, and reliability across international markets.

The company entered a new era under Count Anton-Wolfgang von Faber-Castell, who assumed leadership in 1979. He emphasized environmental responsibility long before sustainability became a global business priority. Faber-Castell established large, responsibly managed forest plantations in Brazil and Colombia to provide renewable wood for pencil production while protecting natural forests. These plantations support Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified products and help offset carbon emissions, making the company a recognized leader in sustainable manufacturing.

In 1993, Faber-Castell restructured its business around its core mission of providing "tools for the creative mind." Its products were organized into major categories including drawing, coloring, writing, and the luxury Graf von Faber-Castell collection, strengthening the company's position across both consumer and premium markets.

Today, more than two and a half centuries after its founding, Faber-Castell operates production facilities in nine countries, employs approximately 7,500 people worldwide, and sells its products in over 120 countries. The family's legacy continues through Charles von Faber-Castell, representing the ninth generation involved in the business. By combining innovation, craftsmanship, quality, and environmental stewardship, Faber-Castell has earned a lasting reputation as one of the world's most respected manufacturers of writing and creative instruments.
History of Faber-Castell: More Than 260 Years of Innovation and Craftsmanship

Borgward: A Legacy of German Innovation and Resilience in Automotive History

Founded by Carl F. W. Borgward in 1933, the Borgward car manufacturing company became a cornerstone of German automotive history, producing cars under four brands: Borgward, Hansa, Goliath, and Lloyd. With its headquarters in Bremen, Borgward established a reputation for engineering excellence and innovative design. One of the company’s standout achievements was the Borgward Isabella, introduced in 1954. The Isabella, with its sleek lines and advanced engineering, quickly became a symbol of German quality, regarded as one of the top premium vehicles of the 1950s and a serious competitor to Mercedes-Benz models.

Carl Borgward’s entry into the automotive world began in 1924 with the creation of the Blitzkarren, a small, three-wheeled delivery vehicle. Aimed at small business owners and tradespeople, the Blitzkarren was affordable and functional, filling a post-war demand for simple, reliable transport. Encouraged by its success, Borgward developed the Goliath Pionier, another three-wheeler, which further cemented his role in the industry. By 1929, Borgward had gained control of Hansa-Lloyd, integrating it with his company to create the Borgward Group, which became known for a diverse portfolio ranging from compact cars to trucks.

The Borgward Group faced challenges during World War II, as its factories suffered extensive bombing damage. However, with remarkable resilience, the company rebuilt and resumed production, and by the 1950s, Borgward was again a leader in the automotive market. Its models often showcased advanced technology, such as air suspension and automatic transmissions, rare for the time.

Despite its achievements, Borgward encountered severe financial problems, partly due to overproduction and mismanagement. The company was forced into insolvency in 1961, a controversial decision that some argue was hastened by political pressure rather than pure financial necessity. This marked the end of an era for the original Borgward company.

The brand was revived in 2015 by Borgward Group AG, based in Stuttgart, with financial backing from China’s Foton Motor. This revival introduced modern SUVs, built in China and primarily marketed in Asia, a nod to Borgward's reputation for quality and innovation. The legacy of Carl Borgward and the Isabella model remains influential, symbolizing a unique chapter in German automotive history marked by resilience and ingenuity.
Borgward: A Legacy of German Innovation and Resilience in Automotive History

Daimler AG: A German multinational automotive corporation

Daimler AG is one of the world’s most successful automotive companies. With its divisions Mercedes-Benz Cars, Daimler Trucks, Mercedes-Benz Vans, Daimler Busesand Daimler Financial Services, Daimler is one of the biggest suppliers of premium cars and the world’s largest producer of trucks above 6 tons.

Daimler sells its vehicles and services in nearly all the countries of the world and has production facilities in Europe, North and South America, Asia, and Africa. Its current brand portfolio includes, in addition to the world’s most valuable premium automotive brand, Mercedes-Benz, as well as Mercedes-AMG and Mercedes-Maybach, the brands smart, Freightliner, Western Star, BharatBenz, FUSO, Setra and Thomas Built Buses, and Daimler Financial Services’ brands: Mercedes-Benz Bank, Mercedes-Benz Financial, Daimler Truck Financial, moovel and car2go.

The end of the First World War presented great challenges for the German automotive industry. In the years from 1914 to 1919 hardly any development work had been carried out on civilian products.

Gottlieb Daimler is born on 17 March 1834 in Schorndorf. After training as a gunsmith and working in France, he attends the Polytechnic School in Stuttgart from 1857 to 1859.

He founds 'Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft' on 28 November 1890 together with Max Duttenhofer and his business partner Wilhelm Lorenz.

After initially entering into a joint venture with the aim of rationalising production, and with a major role also being played by Deutsche Bank, the two companies Daimler Motorengesellschaft and Benz & Cie. finally merged in 1926 to form Daimler-Benz AG with its registered office in Berlin and administrative headquarters in Stuttgart.

Under the leadership of Wilhelm Kissel the initial difficulties were overcome and the company was stabilised by strictly limiting the number of models and introducing a flexible production system, first and foremost at the large factories in Untertürkheim, Sindelfingen and Mannheim.

As a pioneer of auto-motive engineering, Daimler continues to shape the future of mobility today: The Group’s focus is on innovative and green technologies as well as on safe and superior automobiles that appeal to and fascinate. Daimler consequently invests in the development of alternative drive trains with the long-term goal of emission-free driving: from hybrid vehicles to electric vehicles powered by battery or fuel cell.

Daimler AG: A German multinational automotive corporation

Hamburg Amerikanische Paketfahrt Aktien-Gesellschaft (HAPAG) in history

The Hamburg-American Line (HAPAG Company) was first established in 1847, and it official name is Hamburg Amerikanische Paketfahrt Aktien-Gesellschaft.

The HAPAG began business with three copper-bottomed sailing ships of together 1600 register tons, and with a capital of 460,000 marks.

It was not until 1853 that the company decided to commission its first steam-powered vessels. It was built by Caird & Co. of Greenock.

Business for the HAPAG was excellent in the decade 1870-70. Especially was this true for the years 1865-66-67. The American Civil War was over and commerce we renewed with the Union, which needed sullies to repair the devastation that had been wrought.

In 1861, the company won the American mail transport contract. New ships were commissioned, schedules improved, passenger numbers increased year by year and new lines were introduced.

In 1886 HAPAG acquired the Carr Line, a small Hamburg firm involved in the emigration traffic.

As part of the merger, the head of the Carr Line’s passenger division, Albert Ballin, took over that function for the HAPAG. He transformed the HAPAQ into what became in 1899 the world’s largest steamship line the year in which Ballin became its managing director.

In 1970, HAPAG merged with the Bremen-based North German Lloyd to form Hapag-Lloyd AG.
Hamburg Amerikanische Paketfahrt Aktien-Gesellschaft (HAPAG) in history

History of Audi cars

The Audi name is one of the oldest German car marques. Audi can trace its history back to 1899 when August Horch produced his first car. When Horch was forced out of the company he founded, he started producing cars under the name August Horch Automobilwerk.

Naturally, his former associates were horrified at the creation of a rival make with the same name and they sued him. The matter was resolved when Horch renamed his company Audi – the translation of his surname into Latin, meaning ‘listen’.

In 1932, Audi, Horch, DKW, and Wanderer merged to form Auto Union, best remembered for its pre-war racing car.

After 23 year separation, Audi and Horch were reunited under the Auto Union umbrella.

Mercedes Benz acquired the company and produced cars using the DKW brand. In 1964 Volkswagen acquired a 50 per cent holding in the Auto Union business, by then owner of the Audi brand which included the new factory in Ingolstadt and the trademark rights’ of the Auto Union.

It was Volkswagen that revived the Audi name which in return helped its parent company with advanced front-wheel drive technology.

Audi became a Volkswagen owned subsidiary in 1966, the ambition has been to keep the Audi brand distinct from the Volkswagen brand, but it wasn’t successful until a more pronounced differentiation was initiated in the early 1980s.

In 1985, Audi made history when a Sport Quattro S1 rally car equipped with DCT won the Pikes Peak hill climb.
History of Audi cars

Daimler AG

In 1926, Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft and Benz & Cie formally merged, forming Daimler-Benz AG. Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft was founded by Gottfried Daimler while Benz & Cie, founded by Carl Benz.

Both companies agreed that from the actual date of the merger on, each and every car produces in Daimler-Benz factory would use the brand name “Mercedes-Benz”. which was until the only the name of a series of cars from Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft.

For most of its history, Daimler-Benz has been a luxury car and premium truck producer - presented by the Mercedes-Benz brand. In the 1980s, Daimler-Benz started to pursue a strategy of building a technology conglomerate.

Having sold about 4.75 million cars in 2006, Daimler-Benz is one of the biggest car manufacturers throughout the world. In 2007, the company’s name was changed to simply "Daimler AG".
Daimler AG

Bayer AG

Bayer AG is a German chemical and pharmaceutical company.  On August I, 1863, businessman Friedrich Bayer (1825-1880) and master dyer Johann Friedrich Weskott establish a modest dyestuff factory in Wuppertal-Barmen, Germany (by the name of Friedr. Bayer & Co).

Bayer has its headquarters in Leverkusen, North Rhino-Westphalia, Germany. Bayer was one of the important German chemical companies of the late 19th and 20th centuries.

Its signature product was aspirin made of from coal tar. Bayer’s first important commercial products were coal-tar dyes for use in the textile industry. Because of the chemical linkages between these compounds and pharmaceutical products, Bayer moved into biochemical research and innovation.

Bayer has originated scores of pharmaceutical, chemicals, and synthetic materials; it was the first developer and marketer of aspirin (1899); of Prontosil, the first Sulfa Drug (1935) and of polyurethane (1937).

Bayer Chemical Company was the first company to isolate the natural compound salicylic acid. After this achievement, the company was able to synthesize this compound and market it. This is analgesic compound that reduces inflammation, lowers fevers and assists in blood circulation during critical times, such as a heart attack and stroke.

By the start of World War I, Bayer, under the technical leadership of chemist Felix Hoffmann, discovered and brought to market such landmark pharmacological products as aspirin, sulfa drugs and anesthetics.

In 1967, Bayer began acquiring companies to bolster its North American presence, in 1994 purchased Sterling Winthrop’s North American OTC drug business for $1 billion, including all trademark right in Canada and the United States related to the Bayer name and Bayer cross logo.

Today, Bayer is a global company that in fiscal 2014 employed 116,800 people, had sales of EUR 46.3 billion (US$4.6 billion), and marketed about 5,000 products.
Bayer AG

Hapag-Lloyd AG

Hapag-Lloyd AG is the transportation and logistics subsidiary of German tourism giant TUI AG.

Hapag-Lloyd traces its origins back to the mid-19th century and two venerable German shipping companies, Hamburg America Line of Hamburg and North German Lloyd of Bremen.

The Hapag Company was first established in 1847, and had merged with North German Lloyd (NGL), while the Norddeutscher Lloyd (NDL) had been founded in 1856.

In 1900, Lloyd and Hapag shared the new contract to operate the Imperial Mail Steamer Service, sailing fortnightly from Hamburg and Bremerhaven alternately.

Until World War II, the two companies operated some of the world’s largest and fastest liners and were pioneers in the operation of pleasure cruises.

The two firms had themselves been conjoined in 1970 as Hapag-Lloyd with headquarters in Hamburg.

The Hapag-Lloyd was sufficiently successful to become a takeover objective, and in 1998 Preussag AG bought a controlling interest in the company. In 2009,  Preussag AG later name TUI AG sells Hapag-Lloyd to Albert Bali Holding GmbH AG & KG for 4.45 billion euro.
Hapag-Lloyd AG

Merck Company

E. Merck & Son was founded as a chemical manufacturer in Germany by an apothecary named Jacob Freidrich Merck. In 1654, Merck purchased the Angel Pharmacy, located near Schiller Platz in Darmstadt, Germany and began trading fine chemicals.

Most popular was laudanum, an alcoholic solution of opium, which was in every physician’s medicine chest and used as a ‘panacea’ for many illnesses.

Merck established a new factory and began drug production in 1827. The first product made at Merck’s new factory was morphine. Codeine production began in 1832, followed by quinine production in 1833.

The company established in United States in 1891 under the direction of George Merck.  Merck discovers, develops, manufactures and markets vaccines and medicines in more than 20 therapeutics categories.

Since the 1930s, the company’s R&D had acquired a substantial reputation for cutting edge research in organic chemistry.

Merck merged in 1953 with Sharp & Dohme, a pharmaceutical company with major capabilities in marketing to US physicians and hospitals. This merger enabled Merck to acquire an even larger market share in the United States and abroad.

A merger with Schering-Plough increased the number of employees from 73,000 in 2008 to the 100,000 figure at the end of 2009.

Nowadays, the original E. Merck & CO. still exists in Darmstadt but with the name Merck KGaA.

However, in terms of capital, influence and fame, Merck KGaA is decisively dwarfed by Merck & Co., formerly a unit of the German based E. Merck and now an independent company.
Merck Company

Hugo Boss

Early on, it was recognized that while the Hugo Boss brands starts with fashion, the job was to translate the brand’s fashion equity into fragrance.

HUGO perfume

The founder, Hugo Ferdinand Boss (1885-1948), opened his first factory in 1924.  At the beginning he had approximately 20-30 employees.

The factory located in a town called Metzingen in the state of Baden-Wurttemberg, south of Stuttgart.

After the World-Economy-Crisis in 1929 Hugo Boss couldn’t avoid insolvency anymore but was able to recover thanks to the production of military uniforms for the NSADP.

During World War II the company made uniforms for the German SS, storm troopers and Hitler Youth.

After World War II the whole production was improved and the company sold the first tuxedos.

In 1960 they started the lean production of tuxedos which was a milestone for the company and its evolution. It was in 1977, the brand Boss was created and registered.

Hugo Boss, a fine clothier, created its image of exclusivity and high quality in large past through effective use of sponsorship.

In early 1970s, Hugo Boss sponsored Porsche in Formula One races to capitalize on Porsche’s strong exclusive image and international presence.

In 1984, the license was issued and the first Boss branded fragrance appeared. By 1985, the company was floated on the stock exchange and is now listed on the MDAX list of companies.
Hugo Boss

Early history of Puma

A global company with origins in Germany, Puma AG Rudolf Dassler Sport is a recognized leader in the design, development and marketing of athletic foot wear, apparel, equipment, and sports related accessories.

Puma initially began through the efforts of the two brothers, Adolf and Rudolf, in 1924 with the formation of the ‘Gebruder Dassler Schuhfabrik’. Its main products were slippers and outdoor shoes.

Within a few years the Dassler brothers decided to focus entirely on manufacturing sports footwear with emphasis on track shoes and football boots.

In the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin the Dassler shoes were worn by many athletes, including American gold medalist Jesse Owens. World War II halted production and the company produced boots for the German Army.

After the war the brothers had a furious feud and by 1948 the firm was split into Adidas, which became Adolf’s business (ADI DASsler), while Rudolf set up the Puma Schuhfabrik Rudolf Dassler.

Adolf remaining on one side of the Aurach River, the watery divided of Herzogenaurach, Rudolf setting up factory on the other banks.

Puma eventually became more influential through sports sponsorships with International Federation of Football Association (FIFA) and Coca-Cola.

The products enjoyed great success thanks to their revolutionary functionality and workmanship.

By 1991 Puma international was founded. This served as the holding company for Puma’s operations in Australia, Austria, the Far East, France, Germany and Spain. Each area was independent of the other.

In 2002, Puma opened concept retail stores in Frankfurt, London, Rome, Milan, Melbourne, Tokyo, Boston and Settle.
Early history of Puma

History of Adidas

For over 90 years adidas had been part of the world of sports on every level, delivering state of the art sports footwear, apparel and accessories.

Adidas was founded in 1948 and registered as a company in August 1949.

It all began in 1920, when German shoemaker Adolf ‘Adi’ Dassler and his brother Rudolf made their shoes in Herzogenaurach, a small village in the south of Germany.

Using the few basic materials available after World War I, Rudolf began making slippers with soles made from old tires.

In July 1924 Adi and his brother founded Gebrüder Dassler Schuhfabrik or Dassler Brothers Shoe Factory and prospered.

Adi converted the slippers into gymnastics shoes and soccer with nail on studs or cleats. The purpose is to provide every athlete with the best possible equipment.

Headquartered in Herzogenaurach, Germany it was a global leader in the sporting, goods industry, offering its products in almost every country of the world: Europe accounted for 50% North America for 30%, Asia for 17% and Latin America for 3% of total sales.

By 1978 Adidas was producing 45 million pairs of shoes per year. Adi’s son, Horst, formed another sports division in France, Adidas France, which competed directly against Adidas (Germany) and eventually it became more influential through sports sponsorship with International Federation of Football Association (FIFA) and Cola-Cola.

In 1989, the Dassler family withdrew from the company, and the enterprise was transformed into a corporation.

In attempt to branch out into new areas, in 1997, adidas acquired Salomon Group, and the company’s name changed to adidas-Salomon AG.

In May 2005, Adidas sold their partner company Salomon Group to Amer Sports of Finland. In August 2005, the company buying the British company Reebok.

With the revenue 14.5 billion euros in 2013, Adidas is currently second only to Nike in global sales.
History of Adidas

Volkswagen

The “Gesellschaft zur Vorbereitung des Deutschen Volkswagen mbH” was founded on 28th May 1937 and the name was changed to “Volkswagenwerk GmbH” in September 1938.

The success was beginning with the intention to provide affordable cars for the German people.

After years of developing further models, acquisitions of other car manufacturers such as Audi and SEAT, and starting international operations, the Volkswagen has become the largest automobile manufacturer in Europe and one of the leading car producers worldwide.

In 1934 Chancellor Hitler commissions the Porsche Design Bureau to build a Volkswagen or People’s Car for less than 1000 Reichsmarks, or USD142.

It was given ten months to complete the work. By 1937 Dr. Ferdinand Porsche, little known designer had built three prototypes and put total of 100,000 miles on the three.

In the same year Hitler announced that the Volkswagen will be both financed and built by the German Reich as a national project.

With the design finalized by 1938, a factory site was chosen in northern Germany, on the bank of the Mitteland Canal, which joins the rivers Rhine and Elbe.

The first Volkswagen Beetle rolled off the assembly line on August 15, 1940, less than a year after World War II started.

Production continued throughout the war, but most resources going to defense factories.

In 1947, the Beetle was first offered to the public. Also in 1947, the Beetle made its first border crossing, when 56 cars were exported to the Netherlands, and made its first appearance American, brought across the Atlantic by a few returning soldiers.

Volkswagen was first imported into the United States in 1949. In 1973, Volkswagen announced that would be marketing its own version of the Audi 80 under the name Passat. The Scirocco was launched in March 1974 and was well received.

It was followed in July that year by the three-door Golf, which was then joined one month later by a five doors version.

Today, Volkswagen’s largest shareholder is the German car manufacturer Porsche with a share of 18.5 percent, while 40 percent are still state owned.
Volkswagen