History
Pictures from the history of the company
1863
Ludwig Vormann (born in 1823) establishes a forge at the Grimmelsberg Hill in the Heilenbeck Valley, where he employs 2 labourers to produce ‘Oblegers’ and ‘Bogknies’ (the Dutch names for flat and bent or rectangular hinges), plus other types of forged hinges such as dovetail hinges, case hinges and hinge plates.
1888
Death of the company founder. His oldest son August (born in 1864) takes over the management of the small enterprise, which has traded under his name ever since.
1892
Shortage of space due to steady growth leads to the first major building project: a larger forge is added to the existing building.
1899
Changeover to mechanical production. The first steam engine, a few eccentric presses, roll shears, drop hammers and a lathe take over manufacturing processes previously carried out manually.
1907
The first electric power generator is installed, and the oil lamps used up till then are replaced by electric light.
1910
A valuable 6-acre block of land with its own water rights is purchased in the immediate vicinity, on the opposite side of the road just below the existing premises.
1911
The old forging mill is pulled down and a new production plant is built on the newly acquired land, which is also the site of the present facility.
1914
On August 1, 1914, at the outbreak of World War I, the company`s various business areas are all prospering (the production plant, the farm and the inn).
1920
Following the return of the eldest son Bernhard Vormann (born in 1889) from World War I, the company starts to produce tin-plated, soldered curtain rings.
1925
To remedy the shortage of space resulting from a steady increase in curtain ring production, new, two-storey production premises are built, including an office block, a warehouse and company-owned accommodation.
1926
The youngest son, Gustav Vormann (born in 1902), joins the company and follows in his father`s footsteps, establishing close relations to his customers through extensive travels.
1929
The company is granted a national patent for its electromechanical process for manufacturing curtain rings, developed by Bernhard Vormann.
1937
August Vormann dies, leaving a modern production plant with about 60 employees to his three children Gustav, Bernhard and Alma Vormann. The company is now family-owned in the third generation.
1945
After World War II, production resumes very slowly due to structural problems (energy and raw material shortages) and there are only a few workers.
1948
Following the Monetary Reform, economic conditions return to normal at last. However, our company`s new beginning proves difficult; the loss of the territories in the east brings about the collapse of a vital market for the company`s main items of sale: dovetail hinges, French case hinges and hinge plates.
1952
First participation in the International Hardware Fair, Cologne.
1953
The production of curtain rings, once highly profitable, is superseded by the arrival of modern curtain hooks and finally abandoned.
1961
Death of the company`s technical director and co-partner, Bernhard Vormann.
1963
Extension of the turbine power station to improve the company`s traditional in-house power generation, plus substantial investment in new machinery for the pressing plant.
1967
Manfred Vormann (son of Gustav Vormann) joins the company and is personally introduced to its customers. From now on father and son work together as a team, with effective division of work.
1968
Recruitment of the first sales representative, marking the beginning of a network of representatives.
1969
Takeover of the hinge manufacturer Crummenerl in Oberbrügge. Gerhard Vormann leases the Kamp hinge factory in Ennepetal with the company`s consent before joining VORMANN as an active managing partner. In 1974, he becomes the managing partner representing Alma Vormann`s family line.
1970
In the newly emerging do-it-yourself market, first contacts are established with self-service hardware store chains. Takeover of the Schmitz hinge factory in Schwelm. Acquisition of a fully automatic assembly and rolling line for hinge production.
1973
Rolf Löwe becomes a member of the management board, succeeding the co-owner and technical director, Bernhard Vormann.The company diversifies more and more in the direction of punched and pressed parts. Plans for new building projects (completion in 1975) are finalized. First participation in the ‘Interzum’ international trade fair for furniture accessories in Cologne.
1974
This is a year of major leadership changes.
The financial director and co-owner Gustav Vormann dies. His son Manfred Vormann succeeds him as managing partner.
Alma Vormann retires. Gerhard Vormann succeeds her as managing partner.
1975
Inauguration of the new production hall and office block with a total area of 2,200 m² on the company`s original site in the Heilenbeck Valley. The old premises now serve as storage facilities.
1976
Since 1970 the company has increasingly developed into a major supplier of bulk hardware (hinges and brackets) to the leading chains of self-service stores.
1977
The company launches its first concentrated self-service range of hinges and fittings, thus competing successfully with its rivals in the manufacturing business. Introduction of a comprehensive stainless steel range, a complete newcomer to the market.
1978
Alma Vormann dies.The former inn is turned into a photo studio which is leased to members of the Vormann family and serves the company well as a location for various sales promotion projects. VORMANN decides to start its own production of standard wood connecting pieces (nail connectors).
1979
Issue of the first catalogue of wood connectors with a core product range of the most common standard articles, which meets with surprising success. Creation of the first Vormann mobile display stand and open product presentation units, forerunners of the VORMANN Format presentation walls that will follow later on.
1981
Steady growth in all business areas makes it necessary to hire additional warehouse space in Gevelsberg and Schwelm. New building projects are started to remedy this acute shortage of space as quickly as possible.
1982
Starting with the existing Vormann display stands, the company develops a comprehensive open product presentation system. This opens the door to successful placement on the shelves of retail stores, which, in turn, opens up new prospects for even more successful marketing of the company`s products.
1983
The company`s storage capacities, including the rented premises in Schwelm and Gevelsberg, have been insufficient for some time. To solve this situation, a new 4,200 m² facility is built on a 14,000 m² block of land purchased in 1981 in the neighbouring industrial area of Oelkinghausen/Ennepetal where a modern, EDP-controlled high-rack warehouse with an integrated price labelling facility is installed.
1986
THE MULTICOLOUR RANGE, a colourful assortment of standard screw-on brackets in the trend colours white, brown, red and blue, is created and launched at the Cologne trade fair, where it meets with an enthusiastic response.
1987
Another 2,400 m² production hall is erected next to the 1,800 m² facility built in 1975 at the site of the company headquarters in Heilenbecker Strasse. This new building has become necessary to accommodate additional machinery and other investment projects.
1988
The existing office block has become too small for the company`s personnel and its organisational requirements. Extra space is added by building an extra storey on top of the existing administration floor, a long overdue investment.
1989
Thomas Vormann, son of Gerhard Vormann, joins the company.
1990
Introduction of a 2D CAD system. Through the integration of wire-cut EDM plus milling facilities, it has become possible for the first time to transmit technical R&D tooling data directly from the engineering department to the tool shop.Acquisition of a 200 t automatic punching machine for the Ennepetal facility.
1991
The contract to acquire the facility in Elsterwerda / Brandenburg is signed.Restructuring and refurbishing of the site and buildings in Elsterwerda begin immediately. Simultaneously, new machinery is acquired for the production plant, and a tool-making facility is also installed.
1992
Production start-up in Elsterwerda, partly by relocating some of the production capacity from Ennepetal, and also by introducing new lines to extend the existing product portfolio (e.g. a new range of bolts)
Ulf Günther, representing the Löwe branch of the family, joins the company.
1993
Refurbishing of the Elsterwerda facility is completed.
1994
Purchase of two 160 t automatic punching machines for the facilities at Ennepetal and Elsterwerda.The construction of a new warehouse and shipping facility next to the production halls is started, and the office block is remodelled.
1995
Completion and inauguration of the new warehouse and shipping facilities.Establishment of a ‘Sales Centre East’ in Elsterwerda with the aim of reducing distances and speeding up deliveries.
1996
Establishment of the new business area “Industrial Customers”. Production of parts according to drawings for the processing industry.
1997
Gerhard Vormann retires.
Thomas Vormann and Ulf Günther are appointed managing directors.
1998
Extension of the office premises in Ennepetal.
1999
A sales company is set up in South Africa. Geoffrey Vorster is appointed its managing director.
Foundation of a liaison office in Beijing to evaluate market prospects for VORMANN in China.
2000
Continuous increase in customer demands in virtually all business areas necessitate the introduction of a more complex ERP system. New search for and selection of an appropriate software solution with the assistance of the AIP Institute, Hagen, as consultants.Concentration of logistics in a separate logistics department organised and operating on a company-wide basis.
2001
Project start for the introduction of the ABAS software, with simultaneous conversion of the EDP system to euros.Following a successful debut on the Chinese market, the liaison office in Beijing is closed. Acquisition of the patents and utility models in connection with the KHS ball-jointed handrail system.
2002
Changeover to the new ABAS software. Vormann wins the BHB customer service award for innovative design with its vormatic KHS ball-jointed handrail system.Acquisition of sales rights for the chain and rope assortment from the Austrian market leader in this segment. This goes hand in hand with the takeover of key distribution partners.
2003
Manfred Vormann retires.
The acting managing directors Ulf Günther and Thomas Vormann are appointed managing directors.
Thanks to continuous improvement in world-wide express delivery services provided by the forwarding companies, it has become possible for Vormann to concentrate its sales centre in Ennepetal once again. As a result of outsourcing warehouse and dispatch services from Elsterwerda, major remodelling of the logistics centre in Ennepetal has become necessary, including the construction of new office premises.
Acquisition of a 3D CAD system from SolidWorks. With this ultra-modern system and software, virtually all standard formats of engineering drawings can be read, visualised and/or printed out.
2004
To reinforce our market position, our product range is further extended by the addition of wooden and glass shelves and universal hooks.
Launch of the KGS ball-jointed banister system to complement the vormatic KHS handrail system.
The relocation of all warehouse and shipping functions to Ennepetal is completed. The company`s production is shared between Ennepetal and Elsterwerda to optimize the utilisation of both facilities.
2006
Jointly with a renowned partner in the industry, Vormann issues a significant image brochure. Moreover, the company enters new territory with a report published in the economic magazine Focus. Another report to enhance the company`s image appears in the innovation brochure issued by Wirschaftsverband Stahl- und Metallverarbeitung (German Association of Steel and Metal Processors).
Extension of the production hall in Elsterwerda by about 1,600 m².
2007
Acquisition of a 400t automatic stamping machine with appropriate peripheral tooling.
Initial participation in the “BAU” trade fair in Munich.
Introduction of a company suggestion system (ideas management) with the aim of utilising the creative potential of all employees in the organisation (not only that of the managers and specialists).
2008
In September, the landmark decision is made to combine the two manufacturing plants in Elsterwerda and close down the production facilities in Ennepetal.
The main reasons are the limited scope for expansion in Ennepetal and the ever-increasing pressure due to globalisation.
2009
At the end of March 2009, the last part is produced in Ennepetal. After 146 years of corporate history, the departments remaining in Ennepetal are the administration office in the Heilenbecker Valley and the logistics centre in the Oelkinghausen industrial estate.
The removal of the technical plant and equipment from Ennepetal and subsequent commencement of manufacturing in Elsterwerda proceed smoothly and are accomplished in only 3 months.
The general reorganisation process leads to an amalgamation of the purchasing and logistics departments into the new management division “Materials Management”. The aim is to achieve a holistic network and the efficient control of material flows between material suppliers, production plant, subcontractors and end customers.
In autumn, the Internet presentation for the industrial segment goes online. With these website pages, Vormann directly addresses major industrial customers, showing its great variety of options to supply custom-made articles designed and manufactured to customers’ specifications.
2010
Acquisition of CE certification and subsequent integration of CE labelling in the production process.
2011
Installation of an air-conditioned measuring room and acquisition of a 3D coordinate measuring machine (CMM) with a motor-powered touch probe.
