More than 100 years for your security - BURG-WÄCHTER

from Patrick Depuhl

BURG-WÄCHTER - a story of "small" and "big" values

101 years ago the great war was not long over and the consequences can be seen and felt everywhere. 40 countries and almost 70 million soldiers faced each other. The end is a catastrophe and a redemption in one.
As if that were not enough, a virus strikes, the mother of all pandemics. It will later be named The Spanish flu, which sweeps across the world in 3 waves and leaves another 50 million dead.
The world is restless. Full of turmoil and uncertainty: bloodbath in front of the Reichstag. Kapppusch and Ruhraufstand with 50,000 gunmen.
At the same time, art reawakens, blues is recorded on vinyl for the first time, and the first jazz disc is released in Germany. Karl May is filmed (silently) and Zorro appears on the big screen.
At Volmarstein castle ruin Alfred Lüling decides to open up a new era with a "tool of the future" - a lever action screwdriver. The castle sits in the Westphalian region, long known for its skills in lock making, dating back to 1750. In 1890, BURG launch its first hand-made padlock with Friedrich Wilhelm, but by 1920 Alfred Lüling creates his own company and launches BURG-WÄCHTER, which roughly translates to “Castle Guard”.
With the castle in sight and mind, Alfred finally decides to focus on the padlock as a showpiece. In 1922, it can be purchased for incredible prices ranging from 146.20 marks to 675.20. But admittedly as a result of inflation, it rang more in the ear than it rang in the till. In the years that followed, the company grew not only in production, but also in sales.
In the 30s sales are temporarily stopped, but the company quickly develops further. Slowly the next generation comes into play: Alfred. Adalbert. Friedhelm. By the end of 1960, the company had about 100 employees, and when there was a need, the office staff helped out on the milling machines.
Despite the newness of the 60s, colourful advertising images for brass locks and a new lock headquarters in Meinerzhagen-Valbert, there are dark moments. First Alfred dies in 1960, then Alfred Junior only 39 years old, in 1964. These moments remind us only certain treasured items can be protected - but life itself, lies in other hands.
After 50 years safes are developed, initially slightly clunky with a dial two-speed lock that offers an impressive 17,000,000 locking combinations.

My first Burg-Wächter product was a small blue cash box. The colourful and stylish design which has stood the test of time. Burg-Wächter mailboxes is where the developers excelled with a vast choice of modern designs, styles and colours from the beautifully simple to the more contemporary styled models. Mailboxes with swivelling signal flag, these are contemporary examples of, let's call it, "everyday art". - At the sight of many a mailbox pattern and design of bygone days, one wonders: How did they do that? - And the other wonders: Why? Why did they do that?
1984 sees a new generation of Lülings: Harald. Dietmar. Reinhard. It's hard to believe that this was over 37 years ago - that is until you see the hairstyles. Then you realise at first glance that those were different times!
With reunification in 1990, the company is immediately on the road again throughout Germany with security for its values and Wurtstbrotbüffet in Bitterfeld - and soon manufacturing in Wismar. Growth then follows into the international markets with Romania, China, France and the United Kingdom.
The next generation of Lülings' appears around the same time with Christopher, Gerrit and Lennart working side by side with the previous generation. Similar to when the company was founded in 1920, a pandemic grips the world, just in time for the 100 year company anniversary in 2020. The work continues, but the celebrations will have to wait a bit.
100 years in business has evolved in a changing world. The future is becoming increasingly international with electronic and digital technology using fingerprints, transponders and smartwatches. The question that needs to be asked again and again is: What can the past tell us in order to shape the future of security.
The world is not perfect and this is why locks and security exist.
In the kingdom of heaven, there is only one key. Peter gets it from Jesus with the words: "To you I will give the key that unlocks the new reality of God." (Bible translation: The Book - Matthew 16:19)
Indeed the treasures worthy of protection are not always visible, such as a wealth of ideas, knowledge and imagination.
The key to a good life is being open: Being open-minded.
There is a lot to be thankful for, gratitude to life, to the people around us and also gratitude to the other person who holds the keys of our life in their hands.
As a family business in its fourth generation we feel firmly committed to our Christian values and share our knowledge and experience from generation to generation to ensure the future is safe and secure.