Gaggenau: Difference between revisions

Gaggenau Hausgeräte GmbH produces high-quality kitchen appliances with uncompromising standards of quality, authenticity and design. The range includes ovens, combi-steam ovens, Vario special cooking appliances, glass ceramic, gas and induction cooktops, ventilation, vacuuming and warming drawers, cooling appliances, wine climate cabinets, fully automatic espresso machines, dishwashers, microwaves, tumble dryers and washing machines. The Gaggenau brand presents itself today as a luxury brand and is represented by flagship showrooms in leading cities in more than 50 countries around the globe. The company can look back on a long history. It all began in 1683 when Margrave Ludwig Wilhelm of Baden founded an ironworks to make nails and other household goods. He wanted to boost the economy of the local region and open up new sources of income for its people in addition to agriculture.<ref>Preface by Michael Wessel, in Theodor Bergmann: Eisenwerke Gaggenau A.G, 1891, New edition, (ed. Michael Wessel) 2009 Rastatt. page 7; for a general chronology of the plant, see pages 79-84; Michael Wessel: Geschichte der Eisenwerke Gaggenau at http://www.murgtal-chronik.de, published 9.4.2012; Ein Blick in die Geschichte Gaggenaus, website of the town of Gaggenau http://www.gaggenau.de/stadtgeschichte.4357.htm; Aus Tradition einen Schritt voraus, Gaggenau website, http://www.gaggenau.com/de/die-welt-von-gaggenau/der-unterschied-heisst/tradition/aus-tradeition-einen-schritt-voraus (last downloaded on 7.12.2016).</ref>

Bergmann joined the company in 1880. He became a partner in 1884 and the company was renamed "Eisenwerke Gaggenau, Flürscheim und Bergmann". The company's core activities at this stage were heavily focused on the iron foundry, smithy and enameling plant.<ref>Michael Wessel: Michael Flürscheim, page 144.</ref> Bergmann's friendship with the Cologne-based chocolate manufacturer Ludwig Stollwerck proved pivotal at this time. Gaggenau received an order from Stollwerck to produce chocolate and sweet vending machines. Always striving to produce all components internally if possible, the ironworks also produced the enamel signs for the machines. This gave rise to a completely new product sector. Not only did enamel signs for brands such as Stollwerck, Maggi and Odol become a trademark of Gaggenau, the experience with enamel also led to the development of a robust oven enamel.<ref>See Liz Falconer: Gaggenau Fact Sheet, Milton Keynes, 21.09.2012, http://www.gaggenau-press.com/uploads/media/Gaggenau_C_Company_profile_Fact_Sheet_2012_UK.pdf (last downloaded on 7.12.2016).</ref> The recipe for this special enamel formed the basis for the success of its coal and gas stoves.