company history part I: 1868 – 1945

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1868

The Beginning – 1st Generation

On 14th August 1868 the hop merchant “Hopfenhandlung Leon Weil” was founded in Walldorf, Nordbaden.

1882

The Company in Heidelberg

Purchase of and relocation to new office premises in the Plöck 9 in Heidelberg.

1889

End of the 1880’s – 2nd Generation

Max Eisemann joins the company.

1890

OHG Formation

Formation of the OHG with Max Eisemann and Leon Weil.

1904

Relocation 1904 / 1905

Relocation within Heidelberg to the Kirchstraße 18.

1908

Change in Management

Leon Weil leaves the company after 40 years as head of the company. His successor is his son, Ernst Weil, who from now on works with Max Eisemann in the company management.

 

1914

First World War

Max Eisemann’s son, Alfred, is taken prisoner in Russia.

1917

Mourning

Leon Weil dies on 5th June 1917.

1923

Hyperinflation

As a result of the First World War the Reichsmark suffers a fall in value. In June 1923 a litre of milk already costs 1,440 Reichsmark, in December 1932 it costs 360 billion Reichsmark.

1924

3rd Generation

Alfred Eisemann joins the company.

1926

Marriage

Alfred Eisemann marries Hildegard Müller. She is a Catholic, a fact which will later play a crucial role. One year later (1927) son Rudolf (sen.) is born.

1929

World Economic Crisis

The “Black Friday” in October 1929 marks the beginning of a global economic crisis, presenting major challenges to all companies.

1933

Dark Times

In January 1933 Adolf Hitler is appointed Reich Chancellor. A dark chapter in the history of mankind begins.

1936

Foundation

On 11th September 1936 the company “Hildegard Eisemann” is founded.

1938

Liquidation of the Leon Weil Company

On 18th January 1938 the company “Leon Weil” is liquidated. The corporation is dissolved – liquidators are the partners Max Eisemann and Ernst Weil.

Persecution

10th November 1938: 70 men from Heidelberg, among them Alfred Eisemann and Ernst Weil, are deported to the concentration camp Dachau.

1939

Handover

Ernst Weil arranges the emigration for his family. Weil and his family emigrate to Uruguay. He transfers the power of proxy for the liquidated hop merchants to Alfred Eisemann.

1940

Persecution

On 22nd October 1940 Max Eisemann, together with approx. 300 other citizens of Heidelberg, is picked up by the Gestapo and deported with a special train into the surrounding region.

Mourning

6th November 1940: Max Eisemann dies in the “Camp de Gurs” or rather the sub-concentration camp Pau. One can imagine how badly the over-70 year old must have been affected by the circumstances.

1945

Deportation Again

In February 1945 Alfred Eisemann is deported to a concentration camp for a second time, this time to Theresienstadt.

Liberation

“On 8.5.1945 I was freed by the Russians” writes Alfred Eisemann. After a two-week trek on foot he returns to Heidelberg.

company history part II: 1946 – today

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1946

New Start

July 1946: Alfred Eisemann is entered in the trade register as single proxy.

1948

Currency Reform

The current valid currency Reichsmark is replaced by the D-Mark. This marks one of the most important economic political events in the post-war history of Germany.

1949

Founding of the FRG

On 23rd May 1949 Konrad Adenauer declares the Basic Constitutional Law of the Federal Republic of Germany.

1952

4th Generation

Rudolf Eisemann (sen.) joins the company as partner.

1958

Relocation in Heidelberg

In 1958 an office and a flat are purchased in Odinspfad 3 in Heidelberg Rohrbach.

1960

Marriage

Rudolf Eisemann (sen.) marries Erika Eisemann (née Stürmer). 1 year later (1961) the present managing director, Rudolf Eisemann (jun.), is born.

1964

Relocation

In 1964 the company relocates to Spechbach. It is possible to select the address “Im Hopfengarten 1-3”.

1968

Anniversary

In 1968 the anniversary of the company Hildegard Eisemann is celebrated.

1969

Award

The company Hildegard Eisemann receives the 1st prize award for its hop samples “Brewers Gold” submitted to the VLB in Berlin.

1972

Farewell

15th October 1972: The senior partner Hildegard Eisemann dies at the age of 78. Without her clever handling in the Aryanisation period during the Nazi regime, the company would most probably have been completely liquidated.

1985

Mourning

Her husband, Alfred Eisemann, dies on 2nd April 1985 at the age of 92 after a life full of highs and lows.

Restructuring

In 1985 the company Hildegard Eisemann OHG is changed to Hildegard Eisemann KG.

1986

5th Generation

Rudolf Eisemann (jun.) joins the KG (limited partnership) as limited partner.

1999

D-Mark is replaced

The current valid currency D-Mark is replaced by the Euro. This facilitates intra-European trade.

2001

Farewell

Rudolf Eisemann (sen.) dies on the 17th May 2001 at the age of 74.

2004

New partner

Rudolf Eisemann’s wife, Hildegard Eisemann, joins the company as a partner.

2011

Expansion

A new cold store with a capacity of approx. 200 pallets is built in 2011.

2014

Environmental protection

The construction of a photovoltaic system saves as of now approx. 22,000 kg CO2 per year.

2018

6th Generation

The son, Franz Rudolf Eisemann, joins the company.

150th Anniversary

The Hildegard Eisemann KG celebrates the 150th anniversary with business partners, friends and family in the WIRSOL Rhein-Neckar-Arena of Hoffenheim.

2020

Generated 200,000 kWh of electricity

The photovoltaic system, which went into operation in June 2014, generates the 200,000th kilowatt hour of electricity in May 2020, which has prevented more than 120 tons of CO2 emissions and “saved” more than 11,000 trees. >>Video

Cold store II expansion

More space for hops – cold store II was expanded in June 2020 by 120 to approx. 320 pallet spaces. >> Video

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