Grohn Ceramic

On October 2nd 1869 Vegesacker and Bremer merchants founded the private company Actiengesellschaft Norddeutsche Steingutfabrik whose focus lay on the production of fine ceramic dishes.

Based directly at the Weser a production plant was built the following year which could not reach its full production capacity until 1871 due to transportation restrictions caused by the German-French War.

The good disposal of products allowed a permanent increase in production and the construction of an energy effecient gas kiln from Mendheim.

Since 1879 the fine ceramic undertakings of Rheinlande lowers their price to create an insentive for buyers and to stimulate the stagnating market. In addition to regional competitors came english nonvitreous fabrications which caused in the presence of an oversupply a further reduction of the domestic prices in Germany.

Even in spite of price agreements with other companies it was not possible for the Norddeutsche Steingutfabrik Grohn to compensate its loss in full extent since spring 1883. Due to this reason the company was forced to change the production to cheaper stoneware for the export to countries with weight tariffs.

Beside the production of dishes the liquid resin press molding production of wall tiles started towards the end of 1889. An active demand could be recorded in this section. After the reconstruction of a burnt down factory new production methods were established which allowed the dry pressing of tiles. Trough this ratinonell procedure the production of wall tiles could be increased up to 70,000 pices per week so the company was able to gain important market shares.

With the complete conversation of production to wall tiles since 1891, a dividend of six percent could be distributed the first time after ten years. The reduction of the counter thickness from ten to six milimeters had a sustainable, positive influence since the weight tariff remaind stable whereas the quantity could be increased. So it was possible even in the presence of high tariffs to increase the sales volume to export areas. While raw material were ordered from England by ship, the chief executive officer since 1902 Otto Freise changed as from 1904 the supply to railway freight from the Rheinland and purchased additionally a sand bedding close to the factory.

Otto Freise joins the company and remains for 50 years.

Since the 19th century the industrialisation of tiles started. England took over the leading position in Europe. Print and duplicating processes were invented and led to a significant cost reduction. From now on tiles were affordable for everyone and it was courteous to decorate residental properties with pictures. Also kitchens and bathrooms were visionary designed but especially entrance halls and staircases were places for colourful tiles. The Norddeutsche Steingutfabrik was also producing a number of gorgeous Jugenstil tiles that time. The company and its brand “GROHN” were already at that time well known beyond borders. With the silver medal award on the World Fair in St. Louis/USA (1904)  the name GROHN has become a term for quality.

Receiving of the silver medal on the World Fair in St. Louis.

The Grohner wall tile factory was founded from Vegesacker and Bremer merchants at the 11th of january 1906 in Lesum Bremen. For the fabrication and selling of nonvitreous wall and floor tiles an additional factory was build at the rail Bremen-Vegesack which started its business operations in autumn 1907. In the upcoming years the factory was extended by a steam boiler and  a facility for raw materials. To achieve a further increase in production the existing biscuit oven was enhanced and the decision for an additional kils was made.

Construction of new production halls due to a high demand for ceramic wall tiles.

The subsidiary Bremer Wandplatten GmbH starts its produktion.

In the business year of 1920 the Grohner Wandplattenfabrik passed over completly into the ownership of the Actiengesellschaft Norddeutsche Steingutfabrik. Under the new management the business situation of the company could be improved up to 1927, the export sales had considerable influence for this situation. In 1930 as a result of the boom a new developed tunnel kils started its operations. As a result of high investments and the general fall in prices which was directly related to the fall of the english pound the factory was shutted down from the 18th of january till the 15th of october 1932.

Not until 1933 full employment could be reached again because job creating schemes of the Reichsregierung took influence in the building sector. After the second world war exaclty at the 1st of january 1958 the company was taken over from the Norddeutsche Steingutfabrik Grohn, as well as the Steingutfabrik Wittenburg and the Bremer Wandplattenfabrik.

Abandoment of the production in all four facilities due to the lack of raw materials.

Towards the end of the second world war even the Actiengesellschaft Norddeutsche Steingutfabrik had to close down and started its production of fine ceramic goods again after some necessary reconstrucions in 1945 just to change the facilities ones more to the production of wall tiles after the monetary reform. While subsidiary II, the Grohner Wandplattenfabrik and subsidiary III, the Bremer Wandplattenfabrik mbH started their produktion in 1948 and 1950, factory IV, the  Steingutfabrik Wittenburg AG had to close down because of its unprofitable production and old facilities in 1953.  With the introduction of the 45 hour week in may 1957 all three subsidiaries were converted to the sole shareholder in the following years.

Closedown of the unprofitable Wittenburger Steingutfabrik.

Construction of a headquater in Grohn.

The permanetly growing know-how in the production of tiles clear the way for new successful production technologies in the 20th century. So the Norddeutsche Steingutfabrik was able to shift the whole fabrication already to modern kiln technology in the 80th of the last century. Therefore time and energy consumption could be decreased dramatically. Further advantages were less space requirement and a higher flexibility. Nevertheless the high level of automation led to significiant staff savings.

From 1963 to 1993 115 million DM were invested into new facilities. Besides the start of stoneware production and the establishment of the brand BW for building centres the youngest development was characterised in the first instance  thru the planned development and creation of the assortment and the establishment of a area-wide distribution network in the new states of germany.

The company's 125th anniversary.

Keratem in Leising as Joint-Venture with Steuler Fliesen GmbH.

Steuler Industriewerke gains the majority of shares of Norddeutsche Steingut AG.

At the 23rd of august 2002 the subsidiary NordCeram started its production with a single fire kiln. 9th of january 2003 a second kiln was put into operation. With an output quantity of four million square meters stoneware per year NordCeram faces the current challanges of the market for tiles. In the Fischereihafen Bremerhaven close to water suitable for seagoing vessels  one of the most modern production factory for stoneware wall tiles was build whose advantageous connection to water, rail and motorway provides excellent logistical conditions.

Opening of the new exhibition in Bremen Grohn.

140th year anniversary and dedication of the permanent exhibition “Grohneum” with exhibits out of the last two centuries. The exhibition shows among other things a special collection of tiles from 1800, the famous Jugendstil tiles and tiles from the 30th up to the 80th. Interesting samples are also laboratory equipment of ancient days and exemplars of the  porcelain manufacture.

A second rectifying line comes on stream in the factory Bremerhaven to cover the growing demand for calibrated tiles in large scale.