175 years - The total of our experiences
Join us for a trip from the beginning of our company to this day. Experience the development from a cork cutting company through to a world-wide operating Tönnjes company group.
Hinrich Tönjes was born in 1789 in a little village called Bywisch next to Hasbergen and the city of Bremen. In 1832 Hinrich Tönjes established J.H. Tönnjes and started the chronicle of this company.
As a young and newly wed man he moved with his wife to Großemshoop, located on the outskirts of the city of Bremen. Every day he walked 10 km to the Bremen wine distributor, Chr. Müller, where he was employed as a cork cutter. The work was carried out in the cellar of the company with help of a cork stripe knife and/or cork cutting knife, (please see picture). Based on present conditions this kind of work could be considered as unacceptable. However, Hinrich Tönjes seemed to be familiar with this work, he obviously learned in his parent's house. Hinrich Tönjes realised that he could earn more money if he worked in his own business. Therefore, in 1832 he bought a small tract of land (picture no. 201) in Stickgras, close to Delmenhorst, for 450 Reichstaler - currency at that time. Now he was master of his own destiny. To satisfy the increasing demand, the cork was cut by home-workers. As a clever father he involved his son, Johann Hinrich, into the company at an early age which is also reflected in the company name - J. H. Tönnjes.
As a young and newly wed man he moved with his wife to Großemshoop, located on the outskirts of the city of Bremen. Every day he walked 10 km to the Bremen wine distributor, Chr. Müller, where he was employed as a cork cutter. The work was carried out in the cellar of the company with help of a cork stripe knife and/or cork cutting knife, (please see picture). Based on present conditions this kind of work could be considered as unacceptable. However, Hinrich Tönjes seemed to be familiar with this work, he obviously learned in his parent's house. Hinrich Tönjes realised that he could earn more money if he worked in his own business. Therefore, in 1832 he bought a small tract of land (picture no. 201) in Stickgras, close to Delmenhorst, for 450 Reichstaler - currency at that time. Now he was master of his own destiny. To satisfy the increasing demand, the cork was cut by home-workers. As a clever father he involved his son, Johann Hinrich, into the company at an early age which is also reflected in the company name - J. H. Tönnjes.
1846 became, for Johann Hinrich Tönjes, a very special year. He got a trade license certifying:
"That Johann Hinrich Tönjes, son and assistant of cork manufacturer Hinrich Tönjes resident in Stickgras, is a local subject and member of the church of Hasbergen. He has a good reputation concerning his behaviour and honesty. Furthermore, he gets permission to operate a cork manufactury and cork trade in this country. Delmenhorst, November 7, 1846, Grand Duke of the Office of Oldenburg.Johann Hinrich Tönjes was released from compulsory military service by paying a compensation of 400 Thaler (German silver coins), to a person who took over his service. Because of honourble family and professional commitments, this did not necessarily make him a shirker as this practise was quite common at that time.He became a commercial traveller to increase the business and to keep in personal contact with his customers. In the beginning the "cork man" travelled by stage coach and later on (about 1847), by train from Bremen to Hannover and as far as the middle of Germany. At that time the most important requisites for a commercial traveller were a suitable case and a decent "money cat" (long and smal leather purse, to be worn around the body) for paying and collecting money. Not to forget an impressive pistole of huge size and weight.
"That Johann Hinrich Tönjes, son and assistant of cork manufacturer Hinrich Tönjes resident in Stickgras, is a local subject and member of the church of Hasbergen. He has a good reputation concerning his behaviour and honesty. Furthermore, he gets permission to operate a cork manufactury and cork trade in this country. Delmenhorst, November 7, 1846, Grand Duke of the Office of Oldenburg.Johann Hinrich Tönjes was released from compulsory military service by paying a compensation of 400 Thaler (German silver coins), to a person who took over his service. Because of honourble family and professional commitments, this did not necessarily make him a shirker as this practise was quite common at that time.He became a commercial traveller to increase the business and to keep in personal contact with his customers. In the beginning the "cork man" travelled by stage coach and later on (about 1847), by train from Bremen to Hannover and as far as the middle of Germany. At that time the most important requisites for a commercial traveller were a suitable case and a decent "money cat" (long and smal leather purse, to be worn around the body) for paying and collecting money. Not to forget an impressive pistole of huge size and weight.
Home-work ended with the beginning of industrialisation. The "Swedish Drilling Machine" for the production of cork had been developed in 1879 and development of further machines soon followed. J.H. Tönnjes had to react to keep up with competitors. At that time Herman Diedrich Tönjes (see picture), born in 1861 as grandson of the founder of the company, was responsible for the corporation. For this reason he expanded the property in 1886 to stay competitive. A new "mechanical cork cutter" could be used due to the purchase and construction of a factory building in 1890. Former home-workers were then employed in Stickgras, whereas, special orders were still produced by home-workers.Hinrich Tönjes, brother of Hermann Diedrich Tönjes, was factory manager of a cork company in Silesia and later on became partner of the company. In 1892 he left the corporation and founded another cork company in Delmenhorst by the name of J.H. Tönnjes Son. All workers, business partners, assets and machines were divided equally until the sister company was affiliated to the parent company.
With the continuing upward movement of J.H. Tönnjes, a new residential and branch house could be built in 1909. The factory was extended and equipped with a benzene motor which was a revolutionary innovation at that time. The benzene motor was used as a drive unit for the mechanical machines; 20 people were employed in the factory itself and approx. 30 people where still working at home. The linoleum industry, located in Delmenhorst since 1882, became a reliable consumer of non-processed cork waste.Business development was satisfactoy. The yearly turnover was approx. 100,000 Reichsmark (currency at that time). The hourly wage was 50 pennies, based on 60 working hours per week. At that time one had to pay 10 pennies for a glass of beer and 15 pennies for one pound of bread. Fritz Tönjes, son of Hermann Diedrich Tönjes, reported concerning the payment of wages on Saturdays as follows: "There was no income tax but health insurance in Ganderkesee. Wages were paid cash in gold, silver or copper.The "boss" himself was in charge of bookkeeping. There was no such thing as personnel accounting. My father asked each worker how many hours he had worked during the week. Then he received a certain amount less social costs."
The boss, Hermann Diedrich, always knew what to do. Since production was steadily increasing, he took care of his customers as a commercial traveller himself. Customers were located all over Germany as well as in the former monarchies of Austria-Ungary and Poland. However, there was no such thing as vacations or trips for the familiy.
The boss, Hermann Diedrich, always knew what to do. Since production was steadily increasing, he took care of his customers as a commercial traveller himself. Customers were located all over Germany as well as in the former monarchies of Austria-Ungary and Poland. However, there was no such thing as vacations or trips for the familiy.
The First World War (1914-1918) also paralysed the cork economy to an extremely high degree. The supply of raw materials from the Iberian Peninsula (Spain/Portugal) came to a standstill. Substitute materials, such as paperboard, turf and pressed cork of remaining stocks, had to be processed.The years after the First World War did not bring any improvement. Large quantities of inferior corks were imported and inflation caused a severe shortage of capital. An order of the navy caused complete chaos concerning prices on the cork market. The disused warship S.M.S Zähringen (picture) needed to be equipped with 15,000 tons (!) of cork to make it unsinkable.
1921 brought another milestone in the history of the company. The factory was supplied with electricity. But this was only one part of the technical improvement introduced by Hermann Diedrich Tönjes during the more than 60 years (until 1937) he was working for the company. He increased the business in good and in hard times, supported by his son Fritz Tönjes who, in 1923, took over the business after the death of his father.
Cork as a raw material had traditionally been purchased from a distributor in Bremen for nearly 100 years. In 1928 Fritz Tönjes organised the direct import of cork and cork wood during business trips to Spain and Portugal. This measure provided an additional competitive advantage for the company.
Fabric buildings had to be renewed and built due to steady expansion. The company started with the production of other cork articles, such as life-savers, corks for fishery, orthopaedic articles, stripes for hats or cork for grips etc.The economic revival of the company resulted in an improved social security for the workers. In 1937 J.H. Tönnjes introduced the continuation of payments in case of illness as well as the support of pensioners and for emgergencies.Due to a shortage of raw materials during World War II, the company had to process substitute materials; such as paperboard, turf and pressed cork. However, production could be continued without any interruption until 1945.The first years after World War II were very difficult for the company. A shortage of foreign exchanges, if available at all, and a high inflation rate made it difficult to purchase the necessary raw materials. Therefore, improvisation was required to survive.Publication in the newspaper "Delmenhorster Kreisblatt" of May 18, 1940: "As of May 16, corked bottles shall only be delivered to customers returning the same amount of corks to the supplier. Therefore, every customer should carefully collect corks to be forwarded to the whole and/or retail saler upon purchase of wine and/or any corked bottles.
The currency reform in 1948 released new energies, so that the factory was enlarged and modernised to meet the challenge of new technological developments and consumer habits.Nevertheless, the finance department noticed a severe decline in the demand of natural corks. This development was caused through the replacement of expensive corks by low priced crown seals. Based on thorough market analysis "Cork Tönnjes" introduced the production of crown seals including varnishing of sheeting. A new factory floor was built in 1949 to realise the new concept.The "economic miracle" (the 60's economic boom in Germany) and the steady increase of business resulted in the take-over of long-established cork companies, such as Johann Ahler (1950) and J.C. Lürßen (1956). New factory buildings had to be constructed (a new office in 1952 and a new warehouse in 1956). Furthermore, J.H. Tönnjes introduced a retirement plan for longtime workers in 1954.
The processing of plastics (injection moulding and moulded thermosetting materials) was introduced in 1954 since all kinds of caps made of this material were in demand. The company acquired the necessary machinery, equipment and know-how until new market analysis in 1958 suggested production of technical plastic parts.
Cheap imports of crown seals caused a collapse of prices in the 60's. This resulted in the termination of production in 1974. However, the achieved know-how in the processing and varnishing of sheeting was still quite valuable for future projects. The production of car license plates, (1960 made of plastic and since 1962 made of aluminium), was quite easy, since the previous range of products did not require major investments concerning the new business area.Furthermore, the auto-boom of the early 60's required the development of machines for the production of car license plates as well as embossing and varnishing machines.
On July 5, 1971 the three-storey factory building of 1936 was totally destroyed by fire. All machines and nearly all stores were consumed by the flames. The damage totalled an amount of approx. 2.5 million German Marks. Fortunately, no one was injured and also the residential house next to the factory building was saved.A new one-storey factory of 1,600 sqm was built in 1972 to provide the necessray production and storage rooms.
J.H. Tönnjes started the expansion into the German and foreign markets quite early. First business trips to Afghanistan, Panama, Libya and Jordan were made in 1972. The first embossing branch in Germany was established in 1974.
The past years proved that diversification had a tremendous influence on the success of the company. In 1975 J.H. Tönnjes extended its variety of products with the set up of a screen printing department - another important step to consolidate the success of the company.Gerd Tönjes - the older brother of Bernd and an engineer by passion - joined the company and contributed his extensive knowledge from previous employments in the plastic and rubber industry.
J. H. Tönnjes entwickelte im eigenen Kunststoffspritzguss das "Clapperdie - Gegenwerkzeug". Diese einfach zu bedienenden und sehr zuverlässigen Kunststoffwerkzeuge wurden schnell zum Standardwerkzeug für die Schilderprägung im deutschen Markt und in zahlreichen zukünftigen Exportmärkten.
J. H. Tönnjes set a benchmark with the development of an automatic assembly line and embossing tools. Numerous countries world-wide already used machines and tools made by Tönnjes.
The "Gerd und Bernd Tönjes Beteiligungs- und Verwaltungsgesellschaft GbR" (Gerd and Bernd Tönjes Holding and Management Company) was established for the already numerous existing embossing branches.
The screen printing department was expanded and had to move to a new building located on the company's premises.The second large fire on July 6, 1985 was evidently set by arsonists and caused damage of approx. 1.5 Million German Marks. A 30 x 70 m big storage facility for extremely high flammable bottle corks totally burnt down, but fortunately no adjoining buildings were affected. The arsonists were never arrested.
The "Gerd und Bernd Tönjes Beteiligungs- und Verwaltungsgesellschaft GbR" (Gerd and Bernd Tönjes Holding and Management Company) was established for the already numerous existing embossing branches.
The screen printing department was expanded and had to move to a new building located on the company's premises.The second large fire on July 6, 1985 was evidently set by arsonists and caused damage of approx. 1.5 Million German Marks. A 30 x 70 m big storage facility for extremely high flammable bottle corks totally burnt down, but fortunately no adjoining buildings were affected. The arsonists were never arrested.
When the Berlin Wall was pulled down the "Gerd and Bernd Tönjes Holding and Management Company" had already more than 30 branches on the German market. The business was also positively stimulated by the obligatory introduction of reflective license plates.
The first branch for the production of license plates in the "Neue Bundesländer" (new German states after the German reunification) was established in 1990.
Increasing requirements and the complexity of projects concerning export business required the establishment of a new company by the name of "J.H. Tönnjes E.A.S.T. GmbH & Co. KG". The first joint venture abroad was established.
Increasing requirements and the complexity of projects concerning export business required the establishment of a new company by the name of "J.H. Tönnjes E.A.S.T. GmbH & Co. KG". The first joint venture abroad was established.
The hundredth branch was opened and new service sector for the registration of vehicles was built up.
More and more vehicle license plates in Germany were coloured using hot stamping foil instead of conventional ink and thinner. Therefore, J.H. Tönnjes developed the "Foliomat HPMT", a reliable machine for the colouring of license plates with hot stamping foil.
A new fraud-resistant holographic concept called HoloCIS - Holographic Car Identification System - was developed by J.H. Tönnjes in cooperation with a leading European manufacturer for high security holograms. This included not only the license plate but also documents and the vehicle itself.
The new system complicated the falsification of license plates and documents and was, especially in Eastern Europe, of great help.
The new system complicated the falsification of license plates and documents and was, especially in Eastern Europe, of great help.
J.H. Tönnjes linked the successfully introduced "HoloCIS" with RFID chips to improve fraud-resistance.
J.H. Tönnjes became official license plate manufacturer in 8 European Union member states with the enlargement of the European Union in 2004.
The screen printing department was totally reconstructed, upgraded and transformed into a new division called "Graphics and Advertising". This also included the extension of the product range.
J. H. Tönnjes celebrates its 175th anniversary. The still family owned company survived turbulent times including two World Wars, depression times and the challenge of globalisation. Today, the 5th and 6th family generation lead Tönnjes Group with more than 1.300 employees worldwide in the divisions of License Plates, Production Equipment, Mechanical Engineering, Plastic Injection Moulding as well as Advertising & Graphics.
We do not only export our products to more than 70 countries, but also produce locally in numerous joint venture companies and co-operations, offering our customers a complete and reliable service.
We do not only export our products to more than 70 countries, but also produce locally in numerous joint venture companies and co-operations, offering our customers a complete and reliable service.