2006 a company’s research into the history woodworking ... · 1967 the metal- and wood-working...

20062006

Annual review

A company’s research

into the historyof woodworking machinery

Follow the technicaldevelopment

from the early beginnings in 1802 to the presence in 2006. The cover photograph shows a combined machine back from 1906, build by the Esslinger Maschinenfabrik Kölle.

Page 3

Company history:

History ofHöchsmann Limited from 1968

Page 6

Machinery History:

The historyof woodworking from 1802

Page 3

General History:

World history from a German perspectivefrom 1813

Page 3

Dezember 2006

Erscheinungsdatum22. Dezember 2006

» From the beginnings

in 1802… «

2

»On Offer«

MORBIDELLI CNC-machining centre AUTHOR/X 5built in 2004, working range X 4.895/Y 1.465/Z 400mm,8-fold tool changer, 12 verticaldrills, 4 horizontal drills X/2 Y, 1routing spindle, 5-axes-machine

price: 99.000 EUR

»On Offer«

BRANDT Edgebander KD93built in 2001, Solid lip machine up to 20 mm lips,sawing and tiltable milling aggregates

price: 18.900 EUR

introduction

When Richard Bahma inventedhis “Trying up machine” in 1802ushering in the era of large indu-strial woodworking companies,these words had not yet beenspoken. However even for suchan apolitical branch that usedmachinery dealers are, knowled-ge of the development of machi-ne technology plays an impor-tant role.

Be it the insignificant thingssuch as obtaining spare parts ortechnical consultation, knowingabout the technical specificationor the model range of the manu-facturer when a product wasmade – as well as being wellinformed about major upheavalsin the industry, acquiring thisknowledge and competenceoften provides a competitiveedge. Understanding interrelati-on and development can help tobetter assess the market, aiddecision-making thereby impro-ving your position in the market.

Höchsmann has been able tothis steadily over the years, dueto a complex, sometimes evenmeticulous data management. Important events in the history ofmanufacturers, important infor-mation to products and ranges

have been documented as wellas an ever increasing archive ofcompany brochures.

We always address one particu-lar topic in our ‘Annual Review’which appears every Christmas.This year we are focusing on thehistory of woodworking machine-ry. Even the older experts in ourbranch will find something inter-esting or new.As in world history, the view ofthe beholder plays an importantrole.Höchsmann GmbH’s priorities liein the field of furniture producti-on as well as window productionand joinery. In the followinghistory the innovations andtrends will always be viewedfrom this perspective. The impor-

tant inventions and develop-ments of sawmill and the lumberindustry will not be addressed.Our research was carried out tho-roughly and very meticulously.As a result it was very difficult tofind the inventor of the wide beltsander, as all the firms whichcould come in to question “decli-ned” to confirm being the first.The answer can be found in ourhistory.Nevertheless this history is neit-her exhaustive nor infallible. Onthe contrary, we are grateful forany important tips and correcti-ons the reader may have.

We wish to thank all the compa-nies that have supported us withpictures and information. Pleaseexcuse us, where we couldn’t

include all available informationin our history. However asdealers, not bound to any onemanufacturer, we can lay claimto be neutral. It was our goal toinclude all technical innovationsas well as developments, whichset off new trends on the market.

We have been unable to ascer-tain who invented or first usedone important innovation ofyesteryear. The scorer, found in nearly allsliding table saws today, musthave been introduced in the1920’s or earlier, but by whomremains unknown. We hope youwill learn something new fromreading this short history ofwoodworking machines.

Norbert ZellerSales

foreword“He who does not know historycannot understand the presencenor shape the future” (R. von Weizsäcker)

current suppliescurrent supplies

3

»On Offer«

SCM beam saw SIGMA 90Cbuilt in 2002, cutting length3,200 mm,saw blade projection 90 mm,saw blade diameter350mm, groove cutting, scoring aggregate

price: 23.000 EUR

BÜTFERING wide belt sanderCLASSIC 413QRCEbuilt in 2001, sanding width1,350mm, 4 sanding belts:cross belt/roller/pad/comb.electronic segmented sandingpad brushing aggregate, inter-mediate lacquer sanding.Ex price aprx. 110.000 EUR

price: 49.000 EUR


historyThe history from 1802 till 1949:

Patents and transmission for large factories

1813 Battle of Nations by Leipzig

1832 Hambacher Fest

1871 German Empire founded

1914-1918 First World War

1919-1933 Weimar Republic

1929 Black Thursday ushers inthe Great Depression.

1939-1945 Second World War

1949 GDR and FRG were founded.

»General History«

Wars and economic crisis

»1802«

Joseph Bramah (in England) invents the “Trying up machine”, a type of automatic join-ter. This commences a wave of inventions

leading to industrialisation of woodwor-king, which till this time had been a

handicraft.

»1827«

A planer and moulder machine is patented, as a forerunner of today’sfour-sided planer and moulder.

»1866«

H.B. Smith constructed the firstdouble end tenoner.

»Ca. 1900«

Ca. 1900 Weber constructed a drum sanding machine with feeder.

»1906«

Wilhelm Altendorf designed for his own joinery the first sliding table saw.

»1907«

Wadkin’s “DC Pattern Miller” ushersin the triumphal procession of ma-

chines powered by electric mo- tors, each with its own motor.

»1920«

Armin Börner constructed a planer. After joining Gubisch, its

further development is introduced as the first genuine four-sider (with surfacing spindle).

»1928«

The last larger factories convert to individual electricalsingle motor drives. This marks the end of one era in the

woodworking industry.

»1947«

First export-fair inHanover after

the war.

»1934«

Wadkin presents the first doubleend profiler with chain feed, at thistime still designed for solid wood.

»1936«

B Routers with a frequency converterup to 18 000 rpm.make brand newproduct shapespossible.

4

historyThe Fifties:

New concepts for new materials

»On Offer«

VIET wide belt sander VALERIA 4CTTT-ELbuilt in 1995, sanding width1,300mm, 4 sanding beltstotal: 1x rollers/3x pads, brushing aggregate, segmented sanding pad

price: 29.500 EUR

More information about cur-rently 713 machines:Höchsmann GmbHD-01665 KlipphausenSchwabacher Str. 4 Tel. 0049 (0)35204 651-0 Fax 0049 (0)35204 651-90www.hoechsmann.com


»1951«

Veneers are replaced in the furniture industry with paper weband hardboard printed with a wood pattern.

»1951«

Böttcher and Gessner produced the first wide

belt sander as per patentof Sherill, USA.

»1953«

With the model AVM (‘Submarine’) IMA

introduced a through feed edge bander with

a post-processing function.

»1952«

SCM commences production ofwoodworking machines with L“invincibile.

»1953«

Viet introduced a machine, which can sand

even warp sheets due to electrically regulated

pressure elements similar to today’s segmented

pressure bar.

»1953«

Böttcher and Gessner for the first time used a segmented pressure bar with pneumatic pressure regulator on a long beltsander in order to sand.

»1954«

Weber built the first top sanding wide belt sander

FKA with its typicalegg shape.

Selection, price

and performance!

»1956«

Torwegge introduced the “Multi-purpose machine” H88,

the first which could drill, rout and saw in throughfeed.

»1954«

Weinig was granted a patentfor a multi moulder with adjustable moulding spindles.

»1957«

Max Himmelberger applied for several patents, which enabled chipboard to be produced economically giving

this alternative to solid wood, invented twenty yearspreviously, its breakthrough.

»1958«

Schelling built the firsthorizontal panel saw withmoving saw blade.

5

1950 NWDR in Hamburg trans-mitted the first television pic-tures after the war.

1951 The first German Auto-motive Exhibition was held inFrankfurt.

1955 Occupation WestGermany ended.

1957 The Cartel Act passed toprotect open competition.

1957 The Soviet Sputnik 1 isthe first artificial Satellite toorbit the earth.

1958 The USA put its first Satel-lite “Explorer” into space.

1958 The D-Mark can beexchanged freely with the US Dollar.

»General history«

Television, cars and satellites

»1954«

A.Bulleri experimented with a router having the firstNC-controller worldwide in a woodworking machine.

»1956«

Schwabedissen introducedthe first double end

profiler with automaticwidth adjustment and

sychronisable units.

»1958«

Holzher presents the verticalpanel saw.

»1959«

Martin produced the first sliding table saw with

a 45° tiltable saw blade.

»1959«

Giben was granted a patent for a horizontalpressure beam saw, the forerunner of today’s’

panel sizing plants.

Purchase of used wood-working equipment,quick and competent

Tel. 0049 (0)35204 651-16Fax 0049 (0)35204 651-90www.hoechsmann.com

»On Offer«

WEEKECNC-machinig centre BP 12built in 1998, working range X2.750/Y 900/Z 90, 1 routingspindle, 18 borers vertical/per2 horizontal X/Y, 6 toolchanging positions

price: 28.000 EUR

6

historyThe Sixties:

First electronics for a growing market

»Cellar sharpening service forRhine-Main«

»1962«After some years working as ajoiner Leopold Höchsmann madehis master in the age of 29.

»1963«Leopold Höchsmann becamerepresentative for ‘Leitz’.

His son Stefan sitting on thecompany car.

»1968«Started up sharpening servicewith his wife Brunhilde in the cel-lar of their house.

»1969«Already in the very beginningLeopold Höchsmann experimen-ted a lot, in order to create solutions for his customersdemands.

The first development was aedge trimmer, with pre-cutters,which was later sold to manycountries in the cast iron version.

»1960«

Harbs were the first in the world tooffer moulders with a continuousfeed.

»1962«

Homag presented on Ligna the first continuous edgebander with hot melt glue application as per the hot-cold method.

»1963«

Hemag built “Fräsrotor” (milling rotor), the first machine designed specifically for

window production, a spindle moulderwith a tool changer.

»1963«

Fravol developed the firstedge bander for curvedpanels.

»1963«

Heesemann introduced thefirst crossbelt sander.

»1964«

Celaschi introduced “TSA 360 C” double end

profiler with electronicposition controller.

History of Höchsmann GmbHHistory of Höchsmann GmbH

7

1961 Berlin Wall built.

1961 First man in space: Juri Gagarin.

1963 Chancellor Konrad Adenauer resigns.

1963 John F. Kennedy asassi-nated.

1963 Maiden flight ofBoeing 727.

1966 First crisis in the WestGerman economy, signalling theend to the economic miracle.

1967 The metal- and wood-working industry lowered theworking week to 40 hours.

1967 European Community, EC founded.

1968 Value-added tax isintroduced in Germany at theinitial rate of 10 % and 5 %respectively.

1968 The Hong Kong flu killsnearly 1 million people.

»General history«

Crisis, wall and VAT

»1967«

Homag introduced a combined format processing – and edge banding machine.

»1968«

Funk (Okoma) were given the patent for the first

angular plant for window production in the world.

»1969«

Brandt developed the hot-air reactive method and

introduced the first edge bander for pre-coated edging

material.

»1969«

Biesse founded from a former

parts supplier for the industry.

»1968«

Shortly after Shoda’s launch

Bulleri introducedthe first European

CNC-router.

Closing-down-sales andpermanent purchase of allkind of woodworkingmachines

www.hoechsmann.com

Whether single machine orcomplete manufacturing line,we are always looking for pur-chase. Take advantage of ourexperience and world-widesales-options.

Fax 0049 (0)35204 651-90Tel. 0049 (0)35204 651-16

»1968«

Schelling and Teutomatic intro-duced simultane-ously the firstautomatic positio-ning panel sizingplants. Teutomaticcan position in two directions.

»1968«

Shoda introduced the router NC-111A the first CNC-controlled woodworking machine in the world.

8

historyThe Seventies:

Automation and lines for mass production

»Specialist tools for Hessen«

»1972«In the seventies Leopold Höchs-mann concentrated in particularon the sale of woodworkingtools and on his sharpeningcustomers. The business flouris-hed and worked together withpartners like AKE, Stehle andJSO.

»1972«First exhibition at a fair forwoodworking in Karlsruhe: presentation of the edge trimmer.

»1972«The pertinax guide system, suit-able for all hand circular saws,for clean cuts at building sites,e.g. when cutting doors.

»1973«First exhibit at a tradesman’sexhibition in Munich: presentati-on of guide system.

»1975«New building built on industrialestate in Langen.

Started trading in woodworkingmachinery.

»1970«

IMA introduced an automaticmagazine for edgebanders.

»1970«

Holzma developed a panel sizing saw with electronic cont-roller for the width stop as well as an externally adjustable,horizontally and vertically, scoring unit.

»1971«

Holzma was given the patent for programcontrolled pushers on panel sizing saws.

»1971«

DMC develo-ped an electro-nic time cont-roller for thefirst clock-controlledaggregate onwide beltsanders.

»1971«

Gubisch introduced the GN14 moul-der, where a full cardanic feed and

individually driven milling spindles aswell as an left to right changeable

spindle were used for the first time.

»1972«

Heesemann is first to use an electronically controlled segmentedpressure bar for sanders.

»1973«

IMA introduced the “Manu-facturing plant”, the first to

combine format processing,edge banding and completefinishing process. Later theplant was slightly modified

and sold under the name of “Combima”.

»1973«

MDF-boardswere introduced in Europe.

»1974«

Reichenbacher and CMS simultaneouslylaunched RANC AM and AP TRIAX (the first AP TRIAX is still in

use today!) CNC-machines with several units and set off atrend which later led to the introduction of machining centres.

»1974«

Homag built the firstdouble end profilerwith NC-punch card

control.


1971 Walter Ulbricht resignedas First Secretary of the SED party in the GDR. Erich Honeckersucceeded him.

1972 The space probe Mariner 9sent pictures from Mars.

1972 First global Environmentand Development conference inStockholm, at which the reportof the Club of Rome ”The Limitsto growth”: the state of humani-ty” was introduced, clearly war-ning against environmentaldestruction.

1973 First Oil crisis: Saudi Arabia stopped oil deliveries toIsrael’s allies, a year later OPECincreased prices drastically.

1974 The ÖTV union striked,forcing a pay rise of 11 %.

1975 First G7 Summitconference.

1975 In FRG law is passedreducing official coming ofage from 21 to 18 years.

»General history«

Oil crisis, mars and smog warning

9

»1977«Martin Höchsmann (first son)became a sales representative.

»1978«Leopld Höchsmann discoveredwindsurfing. The effects thispassion had on business shouldnot be underestimated. Theinspiration behind several inven-tions, such as the flow coating

system or the overlap seals wasonly possible because of this.

»1978«L. Höchsmann sells his first FunkOkoma window production line.

»1979«Stefan Höchsmann (second son)commenced his apprenticeshipas a wholesale trader.

»1979«The mitre-cutting pliers. To thebest of our knowledge the-se were the first pliersthat did not transectthe window seal,therebyenab-ling aweld-freemethod.

1975 Microsoft founded by BillGates and Paul Allen.

1976 The Federal German Railways decommissioned theirlast steam engines.

1976 The US company Applelaunched Apple II, the first com-puter with keyboard and VDU.

1977 “Year of three Popes afterdeath of Paul V, John Paul I diedafter 33 days. His successor wasPope John Paul II.

1979 European MonetarySystem started.

1979 Metalworkers strike for a 35-hour week.

1979 Smog alarm is soundedfor the first time in Germany inthe Ruhr region.

»1975«

The newly developed Weinig tool-clamping system entered productionand was used in the Uniplan and Hydromatmodels.

»1976«

Homag bought the majority of shares inBrandt, laying the foun-dation of the “Homag-Group”, which is theworld leader in industrialfurniture productionmachinery today.

»1976«

IMA developed the post-forming technology

Busellato launched a“numerically controlled

machine for drilling androuting” and therefore

the first machining centre.

»1977«

Homag and Brandt togetherpresented the Softforming technology based on PVAc.

»1978«

Stefani patented the corner-rounding technology for the vertical workpiece edges on through-feed edgebanders (contour copying).

»1978«

The first CNC-controlled cut-

off-saw wasintroduced by

Paul .

»General history«

»1980«

Hemag developed amethod to separate theglassing bead from thewindow profile during profiling.

»1985«

Martin introduced the TERSA-System for the first centrifugal clamping of the planer blade.

»1985«

Reichenbacher introduced thefirst 5-axle-CNC-router for wood-working.

»1980«

Homag and Brandtintroduced the “Quick melt”-method.

Gubisch built first complete interlinked window production,only one user is required formachining.

»1982«

The BIMA machining centre realised automatic

drilling and installing fittings and was thereby

the first to combine chipping and non-

chipping processes on one CNC-machine.

10

historyThe Eighties:

Computer engineeringfor the industry

»Own inventions for Germany«

»1980«Höchsmann Limited was founded- shareholders were Leopold,Martin and Stefan Höchsmann.

»1980«At the start of the 1980’s Leo-pold Höchsmann delivered andinstalled approximately 80 Oko-

ma production lines for win-dows, equipped with a lot ofHöchsmann accessories.

»1980«After several inventions in thefield of small tools in the 70ties,the 80ties brought innovationslike the seal profiles and flowcoating lines, raising the com-pany’s profile nationwide.

»1981«Stefan Höchsmann became sa-les representative for the com-pany.

»1983«The electric edger: a handyrouter for rounding edges. Thisoriginal idea from L. Höchsmannwas taken up by many leadingpower tools manufacturers and

sold throughout the world at theend of the 1990’s. Today thismachine can be bought f. e. inIndia, known there as a ‘RadiusTrimmer”.

»1980«

IMA introduced the first router for woodworking with a tool changer –Model ANC.

Holzher developedthe cartridge system for edge banders.


1980 Ronald Reagan voted president in USA.

1980 The political party TheGreens was founded.

1981 IBM introduced the Personal Computer.

1982 The first German test-tubebaby born in Erlangen.

1983 BTX started in Germany.

1983 Microsoft presentedWindows 1.0.

1984 Start of private television.

1984 Apple introduced theMacintosh.

1985 Nearly 2.5 mill.Unemployed in West Germany.

1985 Commodore introducedthe Amiga.

1985 “Tetris” programmed.

1986 Reactor catastrophe inChernobyl.

»General history«

Computers, Tschernobyl and fall of stock values

»1985«

Brandt took over a South African patent for stationary postforming.

This first allowed postforming technology for handicraft.

»1986«

Schelling first made possible a complete

user interface with graphic pictures.

»1987«

Heesemann introduced the CSDSystem, which via electromag-netism allowed pressure adjust-ment of each sanding segment.

»1989«

Bütfering launches the AWS-E, the first machine

with electronically controlledsegmented pressure pad

for smaller industries, creating a foundation for thistechnology to come

into widespread use.

11

»1983«Window frame overlap seal in-vented. The launch of own APTKseal profile in 1979 with the in-novative double lip for woodenwindows, was followed by theoverlap seal. This invention wastaken on by most tool manufac-turers in the industry and beca-me known as ‘H” – as in Höchs-mann seal in the Stehle ctalogue.

»1983«Exhibition hall finished. MartinHöchsmann started dealing withmachines for joinery production.

»1983«Stefan Höchsmann placed incharge of tool department.

»1985«Invention of flow coating line byLeopold Höchsmann. Plant con-struction department opened. Inresponse to an inquiry from awindow manufacturer in Bavariathe first Flutanlage was develo-

ped. At virtually the same time acompany in Demark indepen-dently produced a similar unit. Tothe best of our knowledge thesewere the forerunners of flow coa-ting lines, which are in use totoday.

»1989«Political change in Germany. Noplans for eastward expansion.

1987 First mobile phone.

1987 Quality Standard ISO 9000 agreed upon.

1987 Shares tumble “BlackMonday” on New York StockExchange, greatly affected worldmarkets.

1989 Berlin Wall fell.

»1987«

Homag and Brandt laun-ched the first through-feed machine for formatprocessing and edge ban-ding of moulded parts.

»1989«

First presentation of Z-Laser Systems to position work pieces

on CNC-centres.

»1987«

IMA presented the firststationary CNC-machining centre with edgebanding.

»General history«

»1990«

The angle plant Multiflex from SCM with electronicprogramming of spindle height and tilting stop system for tenoning was introduced.

»1990«

Ima introduced a new concept with the edge

bander Quadromat, for individual single user

production.

»1991«

Schelling launched “FW Unique”, the first model with turntable table.

Head cuts became possible for small industry and joineries.

12

historyThe Nineties:

PC and CNC for individual products

»Woodworking machines for theEast«

»1992«Stefan Höchsmann left Langen,changed his place of residenceand started a sharpening ser-vice branch in Radebeul in for-mer Eastern Germany. A secondHöchsmann limited with theshareholders Leopold, Martin

and Stefan Höchsmann wasfounded in the east.

»1993«Start of new machinery tradingwith SCM, Ott and other manu-facturers in Radebeul.

»1993«The Höchsmann Clip pressmade it possible to lacquer glas-

sing beads in the frames with-out needing to be individuallyhandled.

»1995«The new Subsidiary in EasternGermany has grown to about 20employees and moved into newpremises in Klipphausen/Saxo-ny. New facilities allow a permanentmachinery exhibition. Flowcoating line production transfer-red from headquarters in Lan-gen to Klipphausen.

90’s With the rapid development of data transfer and computer powerat the start of the 90’s remote diagnosis systems for CNC-machinesbecame the norm. The interlinking of the office workplace and themachine became an important production factor. New innovationsplayed a large role such as the ability to load dxf-files without newprogramming into CNC centres and being able to convert them intomachine programmes.

Early – mid 90’s The demand for new solutions in the field ofwindow technology and the search for new markets led to stationaryCNC-Centres being used for wooden window production. This development was introduced by several companies, for exampleby IMA as one of the first.

»1991«

Homag introduced a comprehen-sive group solution for machineswith the Homatic-controllersystem.

A. Costa launched a woodenwindow production plant with fully CNC-controlled Spindles.

»1992«

First Exhibition “Holz-Handwerk” in Nuremberg.

»1991«

Biesse launched the Rover-series, one of the most successful CNC-

stationary machines and ushers in a new era in machine design.


»1994«

Weinig launched the automatic adjustmentsystems CAS LogoPac and CNC-Logopac.

1990 The former GDR after re-unification acceded to the Federal Republic of Germany.

1990 The commercial phase of the internet began.

1991 Warsaw Pact dissolved andEndo Soviet Union after 69 Yearsmarks the end of a centrally plan-ned economy and communism.

1992 The EG became the European Union (EU).

1993 The European internalmarket came into being.

1993 The triumph of the WWWcommenced with drastic growthrates in available websites.

1994 Yahoo along with Ama-zon.com was one of the first lar-ge companies of the New Econo-my.

»General history«

GDR, GER and World Wide Web

13

»1996«Three employees decided to lea-ve to set up Homatec, workingin same branch with focus onsharpening and tool sales innearby Freital.

»1997«The two Höchsmann limitedcompanies Langen and Klipp-hausen were split. Leopold

Höchsmann left the companyand founded his own companyin Haunetal near Bad Hersfeld.Martin Höchsmann now held100 % of the shares of the Lan-gen GmbH. Stefan Höchsmannnow held 100 % of the shares inKlipphausen

»1993«

Celaschi first presented withthe range “Kompakt – 2”adouble end profiler with twomovable sides.

»1993«

Weinig introduced Unicontrol6 as the first angular plantwith fully automatic workpiece processing and -feed in pairs.

»1993«

SCM launched its model Supersetwith the “Set up” system of ad-

justment, which electronically ad-justed all important parametersautomatically after the diameter

of the tool had been entered.

»1993«

Ima launched “Bima – Cut” toprocess board materials in one

process; the first manufacturingcell for “Batch sizes of one”.

14

history

»1998«The first Höchsmann used machi-nery list 05/98 was puplished.

»1998«Economic climate in the sharpe-ning trade and the new opportu-nities in trading used machineryled Stefan Höchsmann to closedown the sharpening section.The manager of the tool depart-

ment Mr Tempel transferred tothe machinery department.

Mr Uhlemann became head ofproduction line construction; thisenjoyed its heyday due to thesale of various production lines.

»1998«www.hoechsmann.com started inthe internet.

»1995«

Martin first introduced with theT25 CNC, a spindle moulder with5 controlled axes.

»1995«

Morbidelli introduced the 4th axle (C-axis/B-axis) called Vector in 57 models

of the Author-Series.

»1997«

Homag presented the “Powerline” machine con-cept for high performance plants and was the firstto use a closed loop control system rather than acontrol system in the whole production process.

The Nineties:

PC and CNC for individual products

»1996«

Ima’s “Wieseltechnik” first allowed an automa-tic feeding of shaped panel material on a sta-

tionary machine, a big step which enabled thepopular nesting process to be used efficiently

in the future.


1995 The Online auction EBayfounded.

1996 The environmental stan-dard ISO 14000 was passed.

1997 Crisis in Asia, Thai curren-cy collapsed.

1997 Unemployment rate inEurope reached record heights(4.3 mill. in G)

1998 ATTAC the organisation ofglobalisation critics founded.

1998 First vehicle with hybriddrive (combination of electric-and internal combustion engi-ne).

1998 boom of Start-up compa-nies began. Stock exchange“fever” broke out in Germany.

»General history«

ISO 14000, stock market and hybrid drive

15

»1999«Leopold Höchsmann developed a newflow coating line with moving jet tech-nology, helping to increase marketshare in the flow coating line field.

»1999«First Polish employee, rise in impor-tance of export.

»1998«

Ernst introduced a new machinegeneration with Touch-Screen-moni-tors and intuitive user interfaceworking in Windows. This type ofcontroller became very popular inother machines and manufacturersin the years that followed.

»1999«

Weinig introduced “PowerLock” toolholders based onHSK-cones.

»1999«

Homag took over the IMA Group,which led 2000 to the launch of

Lignum AG.

»1999«

The HOMAG-Group and Reichenbacherintroduced clamping systems with freely

positionable tubeless cups for holdingwork pieces in stationary CNC-Centres.

16

history

»Used machinery for the world«

»2000«Agreement reached over compa-ny philosophy, “First Integrity,then success”.

»2000«The outdoor sales team (in peaktimes 6 men) is completely stop-ped. Instead the salesmen work

from the office and wait for theused machinery clients to come.

»2000«Trading in used machinery hasexpanded gradually.

»2001«Sale of new machinery disconti-nued in favour of used machine-ry department.

Ever more foreign customersbecame aware of company dueto trips abroad and trade shows.

»2002«Meanwhile in 4. year appearingused machine list contributesconsiderably to the expansion ofthe used machine business.

The new millennium:

High-Tech and flexible manufacturingcells for globalised markets

»2000«

Giben introduces the “PM-System”, thefirst to enable a free-positioning of dif-

ferent strips when cutting boards.

»2001«

In USA, under the name of Nesting, acomplete processing of carcase partswas realised in one manufacturing cellon a Centre of the Cabmaxx range laun-ched by Anderson.

»2001«

Reichenbacher explored new avenue in CNC processing:with Pegasus, a machine with parallel kinematic system,

speed of up to 120m/min. were possible

»2001«

SCM introduced with the new Version of the edgebander “K 203”an innovative system for switching from thick to thin edges.

»2000«

Introduction of new window and door pro-cessing concept “Sapiens” from WorkingProcess, a throughfeed machine with ele-ments of stationary CNC-technology.

»2002«

With Introduction to the new range “Euro 2000”Hebrock presented a system that automatically

cleaned hotmelt adhesive tank via the heating rod.


2000 The dot.com bubblebursts, as a result many IT-com-panies go bust.

2001 9/11 Attack on world Tra-de Centre in New York.

2002 Introduction of Euro intwelve EU-states.

2003 Iraq war started.

2004 Ten states join the Euro-pean Union.

2005 Introduction of unemploy-ment benefit II (Hartz Concept)

2006 Moslem demonstrationsagainst controversial Moham-med caricatures in a Danishnewspaper.

2006 The world population rea-ches the mark of 6.5 billionpeople.

»General history«

Dotcom, Euro and terror

»2002«After 10 years living in EasternGermany S. Höchsmann decidedto move back to the west. Heand his familiy with 2 childrentook their residence in the townof Bad Hersfeld, the home ofKupfermühle machines. Thiscentral location enable him toput more ambition into travel-ling. From now on he visited the

company in Klipphausen onlyonce a month.

Mr. Tempel took ove the plantmanagement. In the followingyears it became obvious, thatthis decision did not hinder theeconomic development, but sti-mulated growth.

17

»2003«

HolzHer introduced an adhesive applicator,which could change from cartridge to granu-

late without re-adjustment.

»2003«

Homag and Nordson intro-duced in co-operation edge

tempering with a duropla-stic tempering compound.This enabled a direct edge

coating. without an adhesi-ve joint on chipboard aswell. This technology is

used especially in the soft-forming-process.

»2003«

Holzma introduced “Speed con-cept - an innovative system,which essentially ( without chan-geover time ) could cut differentboard materials, patterns andthicknesses to a batch size ofone.

»2004«

Lignum AG liquidatedand merged into the

Homag-Group, IMA/Mei-nert separated and beca-me an independent com-

pany.

»2002«

Schelling’s “Evolution”concept was the first toachieve a combination ofhigh cutting speeds andlarge depth of cut withonly one saw blade.

»2003«

Ott introduced the edging centre Shark.Several innovations at once: „Combimelt“,

a variable system with exchangeable adhe-sive tanks and electronically dispensed

adhesive applicator as well as a pressurepoint with segmented pressure pads.

18

»2003«An innovative Database Marke-ting of used machines – theHöchsmann Infosystem – com-menced and marketed all inter-esting offers and purchases toend customers and dealers.

»2003«The annual review “ChristmasPost” was published first.

»2004«A new 1,600 sq.m machinerywarehouse built in Klipphausen.

»2005«Re-orientation: CNC-technologynow the most important productgroup.

»2005«Mission statement “Arriving

historyThe new millennium:

High-Tech and flexible manufacturingcells for globalised markets

»2005«

HOMAG introduced several newconcepts for feeder systems,amongst others a “Magnethover” System. Undreamed offeeder speeds at constant mini-mal wear levels became possi-ble.

»2005«

A concept of Working Process introducedin 2000 adopted in many variations bymany other manufacturers, especially forwindow and door production. Elements ofstationary CNC-processing withthroughput technologies as well as manytoolchanging options and new clampingsystem combined to achieve maximumflexibility by constant optimal productivity.

»2005«

SCM introduced “Electa”, a newsash profiling,drilling and profiling

centre on the basis of a CNC-machi-ning centre.

»2005«

Weinig introduced the through-feed- and profiling centre Con-

turex” with the innovative”Power Grip” clamping system.

»2005«

Biesse introduced the Win Lab, a cen-tre for the complete machining ofwindows – individual pieces on onlyone machine.


together” is developed andmade public.

»2006«Large order for 14 spray coatersfor a big window producer.

»2006«First fully revised spray coaterwith feeder speed of 40 metresand more produced.

»2006«Mr. Tempel granted sole generalcommercial power of attorney.

»2005«

The HOMAG-Group introduced the“Lean Factory” concept, with new opti-mised total solutions based on theNesting-technology.

»2005«

IMA introduced 4 methods todirectly apply edges to

lightweight building boards.Frames were now no longer

required.

»2006«

Homag first exhibited on Xylexpo a combination of five axes processing andedging in one machine (Venture range, developed with Weeke)

SCM took over DELMAC-Group. This has created a new potential for market share redistribution.

»2005«

Morbidelli introduced theX5 EVO, the first combinati-on of 3-axes-maching cen-tre and 5-axes-router.

»2005«

With T92 Martin presented the first moulderwith direct drive spindles such as those in

CNC-Centres.

»2005«

Bütfering first introduced a thick-ness measuring technology with

wireless data transfer independentof the machine.

»2005«

With the introduction of Polypan 47,Panhans first introduced a combinati-on of vertical panel saw, drilling-, androuting centre.

Hard-working researchWe express our gratitude to ourstudent Mrs. Rößler, who hasworked very hard alongside Mr.Zeller in advancing the projectof the history of woodworkingmachinery.

If you have any further infosplease contact us:

[email protected]

19

Whilst I was writing this articlewe took delivery of a ‘fullyfunctioning machine’ we hadpurchased, only to discoverthat the main motor was mis-sing. Unfortunately many valueprofit maximisation higher thanhonesty. Can we, as second-hand machinery company, real-ly point the finger at others?How honest are we?Ever since starting at Höchs-mann 11 years ago, honestyhas been written with a capital”H”. In 2000 we even incorpo-rated this officially into our com-pany philosophy. Under theheading “First integrity, thensuccess” we defined, amongstothers, our “honesty“goals asfollows:

a ...is law-abiding and activelystands against twisting thetruth

b ...without exception onlyexpresses the truth both ver-bally and in writing

c ...sticks to the truth even ifthis should prove disadvan-tageous.

This initiative for sound valueshas proven itself over the years,and the resolve of the employe-es to make this stand has grownnoticeably. It is becoming everclearer to all of us, what anadvantage in “trust” we throughthese values have, and what dif-ficulties we avoid.

For us it is a taboo, to conscio-usly deceive our customers, e.g.trying to hide a fault on a machi-ne. As soon as a fault is disco-vered, it is communicated open-ly. Our customers also benefitfrom the fact that our employeesare permanently developingtheir experience and expertise.Only with such a solid foundati-on are we actually in the positi-on of being able to locate harderto find hidden faults. Mr Poleifor example, (photo page 31 ) isresponsible for the visualinspection at the machinery arri-val. During this inspection, themachine is not fully tested,assembled or even attached tothe electricity supply. It is rathera rough assessment of conditi-on, ascertaining if parts are mis-sing, and damage in transit, andtransferring data in our EDP.This invaluable information isthen available to the salesdepartment when communica-

ting with customers. A highlyeffective team of excellentHöchsmann-technicians, inaddition to this, is also able totest in detail a wide spectrum ofwoodworking processes andrepair them. Recently one of ourtechnicians noticed a rip in thecarpet of a valuable wide beltsander. Unfortunately the pro-blem was only noticeable whenthe machine was switched on,because the rip was still insidethe machine at time of the deli-very. Since this fault was disco-vered, we have displayed thissander in such a way, so thatour customers will be spared thesame disappointment.

Human failure is natural, but thepoint is, whether we admit ourfailures. In 2006 I sold a verticalpanel saw, without any indicati-on of the year of manufacture.When taken into stock we initial-ly assumed the year 1990. I had

also included this non-bindingestimation of the year in thesales contract. We subsequentlyordered a few spare parts forthe machine from the manufac-turer. He pointed out that themachine must have most proba-bly been made in 1975. Theslight differences between thesemodels were barely recognisa-ble. I informed my customerabout the incorrect estimate andoffered him the option of recon-sidering this purchase. Howeverwe were able to agree upon anappropriate reduction in price.

Whether a used machinerydealer is trustworthy or not isdependant upon hiscompetence and character. Weare convinced that we are trust-worthy partners for our custo-mers.

Norman SchmidtPurchases

20

»The Höchsmann team«

“Our 40ties and 50ties”(f.l.t.r.)Hermann Berger (Service)Liebgard Böhme (Administration)Lutz Thürbach (Service)Ute Thürigen (Administration)Gunter Birkner (Service)

»KIRCHNER multiblade saw with return conveyor«

articleA trustworthyused machinery dealer?

It is a good custom of ours, thatonce a year the whole workforcedoes something special toget-her. This time it was really some-thing else. Nearly everyonemade it to the company outingin hot air balloons, as sug-gested by Mr Höchsmann. 6 bal-loons were reserved and 30Höchs-“men” and -“women” setoff early in the morning on June9th, accompanied by perfectweather as we set off for theunknown. It was a great act oftrust for us, to climb into a cram-ped basket together, rely com-pletely on the pilot and hisequipment whilst hovering upand down about 500m abovethe ground, to hang in theretogether, and all this withoutknowing where we were actually

going to land. This kind of beingtogether reminds us of our com-pany mission statement >>Arri-ving together

Within the framework of ourannual motto we have started todevelop a quality lexicon. Bylexicon we mean a collection ofquality guidelines which havebeen developed together withthe employees designed to ser-ve as a standard for our dailywork. The main focus is not thatfrom now on we want to doeverything perfectly – definitelynot: On the contrary, we wantedto change the way we think, aswell as provide available resour-ces to everybody, committingone another to quality.

How did this all come about?When mistakes were recognisedthe most we did was talk withthe person concerned. Nobody

could eliminate the possibilityof a similar mistake from happe-ning again. Rules were made–an unmanageable number ofrules.

Internal memoranda were writ-ten which sometimes contra-dicted each other or only dealtwith part of the problem, werethen forgotten or simply not ful-ly applied. Additionally most ofthe improvements came fromthe managers or the boss him-self. The opinion and experienceof the entire workforce affectedwas often not requested.

Today we do things differently. A typical example from the salesdepartment:

We daily receive requests toreserve different machines.Even until the start of 2006 weplaced these machines on reser-vation without asking too manyquestions or arranging any con-ditions. Without a written orderor deposit we blocked the salesof machines for several weekssometimes. Our sales staff ulti-mately hindered each other bynot selling on, always having toask and await a reply, whetherthe potential customer hadmade a decision. Valuable timewas lost.

Now we do things better; oursales force agreed upon the fol-lowing guidelines:

Machines are only to be reser-ved if there is a very definiteinterest to buy.

The reservation period is to bekept as short as possible. (Tar-get 2-4 days).

We include a short note statingthe actual status quo of thereservation and keep each otherinformed.

A written order (whereappropriate with opt-out clause)and respectively a downpayment must be present, if weare to extend this period ormachines are to be comprehen-sively tested.

Quality for us is when our salespersonnel stick to these guideli-nes and explain them to theinterested parties. Incidentally,our sale have not fallen as aresult – however we have muchless internal consultation suchas: “Has your customer decidedyet?”, “When are you going tocall him again?” and “Whendoes the reservation end?”

Many guidelines have develo-ped in this way. Tested beforebeing entered into our qualitylexicon, then optimised andeventually also applied. Howe-ver we have also noticed thatnot everything can or even doesneed to be regulated. Often

motto22

Defining and implementing

quality standards


“Our late 60ties”(f.l.t.r.) Mathias Tempel (Plant Manager)Stefan Höchsmann (General Manager)Helen HöchsmannMayk Ziegs (Service)Ronald Ulbricht (Sales)Thorsten Schulz (Production Manager)Olaf Tietz (Service)»BÜTFERING FBS wide belt sander«

good common sense is morethan sufficient to decide a mat-ter correctly, one way or theother. We will not forget the standardsagreed upon in the coming year2007, but will continue to consi-stently optimise procedures andthe decision making process.

Another example of a qualitystandard:Verifying tax registration numbersWe sell many machines abroad;the majority of machines in EUcountries, without chargingvalue-added tax. We never usedto check the tax numbers thatcustomers gave us; we simplyaccepted them. Problems withsuch a casual approach appea-red months afterwards, when

the Federal Tax Office in Saar-louis sent us the required sup-plier’s declaration coveringinternal EU trade and wereinformed that some of the taxnumbers of our customers wehad listed did not have an EUregistration.

Try convincing a foreign custo-mer several months later that henow needs to pay 16% GermanVAT because he had not bothe-red to get his tax number regis-tered for trading in the EU– nota chance!

This sometimes entailed ustaking heavy losses. We therefo-re introduced a quality guidelinewhich we have adhered to strict-ly since then:

Tax numbers must be verified bythe sales person in every case,before an order is confirmed tothe customer or an invoice issued.

I would like to expand upon thisquality standard a little with avery annoying case in point. We sometimes do not get the“yellow forms” of the exportdeclaration back if the customerhas personally collected thegoods. We are then unable toprove to the tax office, that themachine has left the EU. Unfortunately, it seems commonpractice for invoices to be issu-ed without VAT. And as long asthis is the case, we will continueto insist upon return of thedocuments to the point of

charging a 16% loss because ofthe non-returned export decla-ration. How do you handle this?

Mathias TempelPlant Manager

[email protected]

23


“Our early 70ties”(f.l.t.r.)Norman Schmidt (Purchases)Robert Janas (Sales)Norbert Zeller (Sales)Nataliya Ulbricht (Sales)Silke Szameitat (Sales)

»GANNOMAT DELTA STAR dowel & line boring machine.«

Machines not in use?

We buy from stock at shortnotice. We pay before collec-tion.If you need an evaluation,do not hesitate to call us.

Purchase Department

Höchsmann GmbHTechnology for wood

»On Offer«

MITEK Nail truss facility GREIM-Mortise-Automatbuilt in 1998, working range 350 mm, 2 sawing aggregates,6 saw blades, workpiece height max. 400 mm, 2 vertikal tenoning aggregates, automatic feed, incl. 8 m roller feeder in front and ahead of machine,price: 49.000 EUR

SCM OLIMPIC S212built 2001, edgeband thickness max. 15/edgeband height max 55 mm, aggregate: premilling, trimming saw, 2 flush/radius/chamfer milling station,contour copy milling, scraper, buffing unit,price: 29.000 EUR

WEINIG wooden windows production linebuilt 1995, transversal conveyor, loading, moulder WEINIG Profimat 23, fine finish planer WEINIG Uniplan, double sided tenoning automat KOCH, lengthwise moulder WEINIG Univar 26, transversal conveyorprice: 85.000 EUR

– this is true when buying a newmachine, and especially so withused equipment. Every usedmachine has its own particularhistory; some were wellserviced, others abused. Itshistory, and therefore the condi-tion that determines its value, isnot always externally visible. If acustomer recognises the poorcondition of a machine he willinsist on a better price, or leaveit. It is therefore a question of

conscience for the salesmanwhen selling machines with hid-den faults whether he points outthe faults he is aware of to thecustomer or not. There areenough players in the usedmachinery market who valuepersonal advantage and profithigher than a good conscience.This might be the reason, why inparts of the Anglo-Saxon worldthe word “used car dealer” hassometimes a strange flavourand calls for associations with“cheater”. Of cause such ageneralisation is not representa-tive of the facts, as we work

together with many valuedmachinery dealers which haveproven to be highly trustworthyover the years. If however we deal for the firsttime with a new company, weare rather careful. So we inquireabout their creditworthiness atthe credit agency Creditrefom.This gives us at least a provisio-nal assessment, which is oftensufficient in order to reach adecision about continuing a pro-ject. Here is an extract of ourassessment in 2006. You cansee by our solvency grading of180 (in 2005 we had 210 on ascale of 100 – 600) that interms of credit we atHöchsmann are trustworthy.That we also provide honestinformation about our wide ran-ge of used machines, is some-

thing we would very much liketo prove to you in an honestand mutually beneficial longterm business relationship

Stefan HöchsmannGeneral Manager

24

articleCreditreformBuying a machine is a matter of trust


“Our late 70ties”(f.l.t.r.)Rafal Idczak (Administration)Heiko Lesch (Service)Titus Polei (Purchases)Susanne Staub (Purchases)Norman Barth (Service)

Creditreform lights

excellent creditworthiness100 – 149 risky points

very good creditworthiness150 – 200 risky points

good creditworthiness201 – 250 risky points

average creditworthiness251 – 300 risky points

poor creditworthiness301 – 350 risky points

insufficient creditworthiness351 – 499 risky points

dilatory payment500 risky points

business connection is rejected600 risky points

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We are constantlylooking for purchases!Individual machines andcomplete plants.

Tel. 0049 (0)35204 651-0Fax 0049 (0)35204 651-90

[email protected]

»GUILLIET KXY four side planer«

Thorsten Schulzmarried, 2 children 6, 10 years old

In 1995 we moved from Dresdento Klipphausen, where we reno-vated an old mill, and the newindustrial estate offered manycareer options. Armed with a listof the companies I called every-body I could get hold of. In theend I landed at Höchsmann.Before I officially started I wasalready at the exhibition standin Leipzig. A lot of people, a flowcoating line, a Hofmann routermilling cutter and a profil grin-ding CAD-Station filled a largeexhibition stand. Here I wassupposed to get acquaintedwith the special profile knifebusiness.

My dream job was actually con-struction in the production sec-tion, but at this point in timethere was no vacancy. I therefo-

re worked in many differentdepartments within the compa-ny. I have experienced severalups and downs, as well as play-ed my role in helping the com-pany to survive, re-orientate anddevelop. The following functionswere, or are still part of myremit: organising deliveries,installation /repairs, planningdust extraction units, CAD-speci-al profile cutter grinding, repla-cing colleagues on holiday inthe sharpening department at auniversal grinding machine.Here we ground milling cutters,drills and specialist tools. Furt-her I worked in cleaning machi-nery, selling in the warehouse,helping to disassemble plants,preparing projects, and the con-struction of facilities in our flow-coating production. Helping toassemble a flow coating line onsite, attending exhibitions, dis-assembling exhibition standsand return transport. Inspectingmachines on site and at thewarehouse. Then again in themachinery purchasing depart-ment and now again 120% inthe production section.

I have had the pleasure of expe-riencing many different thingsthrough the years. For example:

· anyone who wants to reallybelong to Höchsmann, shouldat some point or other drive atleast once with a lorry to Lan-

gen (associated company), andon the journey both there andback stop make detours to visitthe odd customer.

· The largest extraction unit Ihave supervised and helpedwith the installation, wherethere were 4 installation teamsworking in tandem, installing 2filters, 7 ventilators (largestventilator 75kW with 800mmpiping, for a window producti-on-line for Weinig. All measu-red values within range firsttime round.

· I have also despatched techni-cians in appalling weather toinstall a filter, as deadlinesshould be kept.

I’m sure that other employeeshave had some diversity, too..

There is always more thanenough to do, and according toMr Höchsmann’s basic principle“If you’re not moving forwardsyou’re going backwards”, we areall on the move.

I hope there are a lot more chal-lenging tasks for me, and thatwe can continue to lead our pro-duction section alongsideothers, through new ideas andinnovation. With sufficient timewe can maintain our develop-ment. I now work in the sameroom where I was once inter-viewed 10 years ago and amhead of the production section.A dream really was fulfilled,albeit a little later than expec-ted.

Thorsten SchulzProduction Manager

25

article10th Anniversary 2006from Thorsten Schulz


“Our 80ties”(f.l.t.r.)Marco Melzer (Service)Denise Wittig (Administration)Stefan Wittig (Administration)

Project teamCNC-technologystarted upMr. Olaf Tietz has been withthe company since August2006. He is responsible forincreasing our competence inthe field of CNC technology.His operational area is theaccurate diagnosis of machi-nes, the expansion of our knowledge in CNC-technology and theup-building of our knowledge-database in this area.

»MARTIN T25 CNC spindle moulder«

When my English teacher backin the 1970´s encouraged me towork harder, I responded infront of the whole class, “forgetit - I’ll never need it!” Upon leav-ing school with a miserable ave-rage of C- and being unable tofind a job, my parents mercifullyoffered me a commercial app-renticeship in the family busi-ness in Langen. I found wood-working tools and machineryjust as boring as school, but atleast I could now enjoy successwithout needing to learn much. Iwas soon placed in charge ofthe tools department because ofmy sales skills, but when thefirst computer appeared in the1980’s, I made no changes inmy section. The only thing that Iknew about these things wasthat they were complicated, andthat I would never understandthem anyway. I was equally con-vinced that I would never beable to sell machinery due to my

lack of a technical education. Iwas still unable to differentiatebetween a Surface Planer and acombined Surface ThicknessPlaner at my sharpening custo-mers after 10 years’ sales expe-rience. As a 25 year old I stillhad a big mental blockage tolearning.

Today I know how valuablequick learners are; in expandingenterprises ambitious learnersare highly desirable and oftenearn astronomical wages. Onthe other hand, the difficult lear-ners aren’t sought after andmust occasionally fear losingtheir jobs. When we consider,

that nobody can choose the ta-lents with which they are born,such differences seem unfair.However, the real problem doesnot rest in our genes but in ot-her factors, which we certainlycan influence. When our Mini-ster for Education states, “If wewish to maintain our standard ofliving and the convenient com-forts, we need more educationand innovative energy”, whatshe really means is this; eachone of us must tap into the po-tential that most definitely liesin our genes, and not waste it.This article wishes to addresswhat can hinder the release anddevelopment of these talents.

Learning when viewed from theword root has something to dowith “following a lead”. Initiallytherefore we need to expendenergy to follow a lead, in orderto experience the satisfaction ofachieving the goal. Perhaps agood definition is, that ‘learninginitially requires effort, in orderto reap a future benefit’. Neitherthe type of school nor the can-celled classes were the reasonwhy my potential lay unexploredin my youth. I just couldn’t bebothered to learn. My motherdidn’t like my attitude towardslearning, she called it laziness;my school mates were impres-sed by my raging drive for more

article26

When vice becomes virtue

»Trend«

Growth inmodern furni-ture machinesThe turnover of window technolo-gy is stagnating. The trend of

recent years has confirmed this.Höchsmann is increasingly sel-ling large and high quality tech-nology for modern furniture pro-duction. Main customers are stillthose machinery traders doingbusiness Europe wide but alsothe furniture industry. In compa-rison to this trend, sales of wind-ow technology have been fallingin Germany and in Europe.

27

– we called it greed. I only feltgood if I looked good – this iscalled vanity. This vice hinderedme from making any effort to dothings such as learning, whichonly promised a benefit someti-me in the distant future. On theone hand my family encouragedme to make the effort now, butthe media promised me instantgratification far more attractivethan the effort of learning. Thiscontradiction in our society bet-ween demands for more educa-tion and promoting vice has notimproved since my youth. Onthe one hand we want an ambi-tious younger generation withexcellent learning skills in ourschools and businesses, yet onthe other hand expend muchenergy creating a culture whichvery often promotes anti-educa-tional vices as virtues. It is sug-gested that only one effort isrequired – the effort of buying.Perhaps my criticism of vicesounds old fashioned. After all,vice has once again been “in”for a few years now. Surprising-ly, it was an ice cream companythat revitalised these, but not assomething negative, but assomething pleasurable: Marke-ting strategists brooded overwhat to call their new products.Which names or phrases wouldappeal the most to today’s con-sumers? Someone had thebright idea to name each of the7 different flavours after a vice:

Laziness, Greed, Vanity, Jealou-sy, Gluttony, Revenge, and Lust.However there are risks and sideeffects for those who in additionto the ice cream also “consume”these pleasure-packaged vices,in particular when it comes totheir learning potential. It would be easy to prove suchnegative side effects of each ofthese seven vices, but I willaddress only three – laziness,greed and vanity.The effect of laziness upon ourlearning potential is obvious.Laziness avoids the effort of fol-lowing leads, desiring benefitwithout any strain. However justas a sportsman can never attainany results without training,laziness without any effort willresult in poor education. It hin-ders innovation, along with itscousins, lethargy, comfort, selfsatisfaction and pleasure see-king. Greed also hinders lear-ning because it is thoughtless.It is driven by the stomach,anxious only to satisfy all desi-res irrespective of the conse-quences of any actions taken.Thoughtful consideration andreflection are just as foreign to itas are self-discipline and perse-verance, both essential buildingblocks in the learning process.Greed perhaps due to its speedmight produce some innovation,but these are neither sound norfully thought out. Vanity hinderslearning in a barely visible, yet

no less real way. Self criticism istaboo. You don’t learn from yourmistakes; instead much effort isexpended to cover up weaknes-ses. It looks down upon humili-ty, which presents itself just asit is, willing to learn from others.Vanity loses much of its learningpotential through its perfectio-nist demands. Rather than ma-king faults and show weakness,e.g. when learning a foreignlanguage, it remains quiet andmisses a chance to learn. A fixreference point outside oneselfis ideal for building up knowled-ge, which can always be used asa benchmark when examiningthe truth. A compass can onlyfunction when it can orientateitself via the North Pole. Allthree vices affect learning nega-tively, because each contains

only a movable reference pointin itself. Laziness has comfort,greed has satisfaction, and vani-ty its appearance. Overexposureto these vices causes a loss oforientation. As our society isessentially orientating on thereference point money, thesevices are very popular despitethe side effects, because they‘consume’ far better than theircounterparts– diligence, self-control, and modesty. Lazinessbuys in order to avoid effort;greed spends money hastily andthoughtlessly, whilst vanity fol-lows every new trend in order tofind recognition. The vices por-trayed by the ice cream compa-ny are hypocritically effectiveand dangerous.

»continued on next page«

HOLZHER edgebanderSPRINT 1417built 2001premillingprofile and flat scraper

· HOLZHER edgebanderSPRINT 1310built 2003trimming,1x milling,scraper, buffing

Technical info and prices: [email protected]. 0049 (0)35204 65127

We are interested in machinesnot everybody is interested in:Rover 342 built aprrox. 1990

Wadkin mortiser Types DM/DMV built between 1970 – 1985

Wadkin ECA and EKA tenoning machine built bet-ween 1970 – 1985

Festo tenoning machine ZA built bet-ween 1970 – 1985

Holz-Edgebander Type 1401 builtbetween 1980 – 1990

Changing machines

We will take over your usedmachine directly from yourpremises, before high trans-

fer costs to the seller’s ware-house are incurred. Contact us as early as possi-ble so that valuable marke-ting time can be gained andwe can achieve the best pos-sible prices for you.

Purchase Department

28

»On Offer«

GUBISCH Moulder GD 4Ubuilt in 1994planing width 230/planingheight 125 mm, table length 2,500 mm, 5 spindles b-r-l-t-uni, glazing bead separation.

price: 18.000 EUR

»continued from page 27«

One could argue that such pro-duct names should not be takentoo seriously. Nothing wrongwith irony and cheerfulness, butif masses of people in our coun-try are deliberately made stupid,instead of developing their lear-ning potential, then this is cau-se for concern. The issue withthe confusing ice cream flavoursis not the only one. On the con-trary, catching customers withvices has become acceptedpractice in the 21st century.Listening to the radio in America2 years ago whilst on businessconfirmed this. Initially they ranan ad encouraging us to indulgeourselves to the seductive plea-sure of a particular chocolate.Immediately afterwards followeda commercial for theoverweight, how consuming dif-ferent products would makethem healthy again. Some timelater I read that several USstates are considering taxingfast-food in order to offsetsoaring health costs. A few crea-tive fast-food companiesresponded instantly by distribu-ting free tickets to fitness stu-dios. Now consumers can pur-chase a rather time consumingfitness programme along withtheir high fat meals. Lazinesscalls us from every corner. ‘Treatyourself to our product!’ - ‘Enjoyyourself at long last!’- ‘ Let your-self be wellnessed!’ Greed sug-gests daily, ‘ buy now, pay later!’– ‘even more, even bigger!’ Andvanity? Aren’t we constantlybombarded by it? Or stinginess,which is even described in onead as ‘cool’? Not only virtue andvice have lost their meaning.

Nobody believes the jargon of aclothes store, ‘Every buyer willbe happy’, or a photographerboasts, ‘ our pictures will makeothers jealous’. A consumer isconsidered rational if he doesn’tthink, always seeks recognition,follows every trend and has noself-control. But this is short-term thinking. In the long term,such mind numbing ofcustomers will lead to a collapseof our education and prosperity.We should consider past civili-sations which fell due to deca-dence, their general moral decli-ne. Some politicians haveprobably recognised this dilem-ma of ‘Vice versus Education’,however they seem to lack thecourage and creativity to actaccordingly.

Stimulating people to commonsense instead than to irrationalconsume, would be – admitted-ly - a challenging task, if youconsider the expected short-term results on business turno-ver and jobs. Anyway, as busi-ness people we should realisethat to embark on a new coursein learning virtues would actual-ly be beneficial to our long terminterests. If we took our specialresponsibilities to steer societyseriously, we could expect tosee a more innovative youthcoming forth. We should there-fore take the risk and stop sel-ling bubble phrases anymore.True innovation and quality spe-ak for themselves and do notrequire any twisted words desi-gned to convince. We shouldstop promoting these bad vicesand communicate to the worldaround us that a new learningenvironment is needed instead.

We must once more learn to calla vice a vice. This is difficult forGermans, as in the past virtuessuch as diligence and single-mindedness were misused asvices, in order to achieve self-glorifying goals.

Our striving after virtues doesnot have to lead to harshness orrecklessness. There are manycolleagues in our company whoprefer virtue to vice, yet aregentle, open and willing tolearn. This change in focus fromvice to virtue took place in mylife many years after my appren-ticeship in the 1980’s. I had justbegun to read my first book,which was incidentally the Bookof books. Twenty years havepassed since then and myyouthful expectations have notbeen fulfilled. I can now speakEnglish, use a computer andunderstand machinery. Today Ifind it easy to achieve learninggoals when I choose to setthem. A few months ago we dis-cussed in our company howimportant it was for us toemploy talented linguists. Thequestion was then raised, whynot learn languages ourselves?

A few leftovers of French linge-red from my youth. Even if I wasconvinced at the time that Iwould never learn it, I suddenlyfound myself with a totally diffe-rent approach. Lo and behold,after 4 months of self-study Iunderstand more than I did after4 years at school. When I thinkback to my former learning blok-kage, much has changed due tomy striving after virtues.

Why have I expressed my perso-nal opinions in such detail? Theanswer is obvious; I want myemployees and readers to tapinto their learning potential withthe greatest of success. Here area few practical tips. How can weprevail in our daily lives againstthese anti-learning vices? Timemanagement is essential, inorder to free up a few channelsso that we can act rather thanreact. It is helpful to examine alltime-consuming activities, inclu-ding our sales-drive. I haveconsciously spent less time sel-ling, without taking any harm. Ifyou overdo selling, you may wellbecome a specialist, but willthen have insufficient time todevelop other important skills,

Evaluation of specialmachines

I do not always offermaximum prices, but alwayssincere advice.

Ste

fan

Höc

hsm

ann

Tel.

0049

(0)

171

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»On Offer«

RIEDEL-TECHNIK Dust extractorECO MODUL RTF-FH-229built 2002, 229 sq.m filter surfa-ce, 3 ventilators, with recircula-ted air tubing, screw conveyorRTZ 25, automatic switching(winter- and summer mode),20 automatic slide gates.

price: 27.000 EUR

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»On Offer«

BRANDT Edgebander KD 56Cbuilt in 2000edge band thicknessmax. 4 mm, trimmer,1 x millingcorner copying, scraper, buffing

price: 16.500 EUR

which are just as necessary inorder to sell successfully. Anot-her of my time wasters was liste-ning to unnecessary radio newsprogrammes in my car on busi-ness trips. I used to listen to thesame news about seven times aday; this may have satisfied mycuriosity, but I had no time leftfor French CDs. Another key is‘doing without’– not gratificati-on. If you can’t abstain, you cannever truly enjoy. It shouldn’t bea problem to miss a meal occa-sionally, in this way you instant-ly gain 1 hour to learn, or just torelax. Mind the TV; it encoura-ges inactivity, greed and vanityon most channels. We havebanished our TV from the livingroom and use it rarely, to watcha few selected DVDs. This is pro-bably the reason why our 9 yearold daughter - with an curiousand hyperactive temperament,taking after her dad - has never-theless developed in to a strongreader. Buy the way, there arestill some books available,which encourage learning virtu-es. I recently read Uncle Tom’sHut with my children. What athrilling and virtuous book! It’s ashame that most bookshopshave only the uniformed fantasystuff; which always bears therisk that their consumptionleads to a loss of contact withreality.The time has come to take astand against those vicescamouflaged as virtues, for anew learning culture highlightedthrough virtues such asdiligence, self-control andmodesty. Perhaps this leavesthe impression that learning ismy greatest passion – on thecontrary. All the knowledge of

this world is only noise and junkcompared with what I actuallydesire. I have learnt thatknowledge is not essential.What I desire is a peace ofheart, which carries me throughall struggles and difficulties. Butthis is something we cannotlearn, we receive it as a gift andthere is only one person I knowcan give it – Jesus Christ. Howe-ver, after establishing peace ofheart He gives us ideal conditi-ons for learning; He is anunchanging point of referencefor building up knowledge; Heguides us to a realistic and dis-cerning self-perception, whichallows us to learn from ourmistakes; He surrounds us withHis love and accepts our wea-knesses, so that we do not col-lapse through them and canfreely learn from His strengths;He send us his Spirit, so that wecan mature in self-control, thatwe can achieve our goals. Hedeals with laziness, vanity,greed and all other vices thathinder. It may surprise somepeople when I attribute my lear-ning achievements to JesusChrist. However when we arequite well versed of our WesternWorld history - and we should, ifwe want to understand the pre-sent – one thing becomes clear:We once had a religion fromwhich we derived our definitionsof virtue and vice. The followersof this faith called themselvesChristians, and when we takethe biblical word ‘disciple’,translated out of the Greek, weare left with the English term‘one who learns’.

Stefan HöchsmannGeneral Manager & “Apprentice”

Company closure

We buy complete productionplants from stock at short

notice. If you have enoughtime, we will market yourmachines for you mediumterm, sharing the risk andachieve higher prices.

Purchase Department

Höchsmann GmbH · Technology for wood

»On Offer«

HOMAG CNC-machining centreBOF 41/45/Kbuilt in 2000, working range X4.500/Y 1.300/Z 410 mm,12-tool changing positions, 17vertical borers, 12 horizontalborers, 1 moulding spindle,price: 63.000 EUR

VITAP Dowel-hole and line-boring line SIGMA 2TAbuilt in 2000, Boring supportsbottom-up 4,boring beams persupport 9, Working width max2.500/Working depth 70 mm, price: 27.500 EUR

HOLZHER Edge bander SPRINT 1315-2built in 2002, edge band heightmax. 51 mm, edge band thick-ness max. 8 mm, trimmers, 1xmilling, corner copying, profilescraper, buffing.price: 13.900 EUR

Brochure partnerships

Our collection of brochures isas extensive as our history ofwoodworking machines. We look for brochures from

every manufacturer, model,year of manufacture and type.Please contact us if you haveold brochures which you nolonger require. We’ll gladlycome and collect them, putthem in our archives wherethey are still available for you.Purchase Department

The 2006 Nobel Peace Prize wasawarded to Muhammad Yunus,whose microcredits are a veryefficient method of developmentaid. The www.oid.org foundationfunctions in the same manner,which we have been supportingfor a few years. OID helps the poor, but never-theless economically activepeople who would otherwisehave no access to capital, viamicrocredits. The principle issimple: no handouts, but ratherhelping others to help themsel-ves; the borrowers are viewedas serious business partners,not as passive beggars. They areintegrated into a Trustbank-

Group, where members act asguarantors for one another andsupport each others’ businessideas. The microcredits are repaid withinterest (repayment rate of97 % ) and lent once more, the-reby creating a multiplier effect.

I recommend the work of OID. I consider it appropriate to allo-cate a part of our profits as adonation for microfinancing tinybusinesses in developing coun-tries.

Stefan HöchsmannGeneral Manager

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articleOpportunity InternationalProviding work instead of handouts

Photograph: Regina (56) from Mosambik

More objectivity when seeking advice, which is the best machine?A machinery trader who has no preferences about certain manu-factures, and is therefore not biased towards his own products,would be pleased to advise you:

[email protected]

Saw-SpecialTop vertical saws for sale!STRIEBIG vertical beam sawSTANDARD 6220A, built in 1995For more info call: Call: 0049 (0)35204 65118

SCM multiblade saw M3built in 1990, feed-/cuttingwidth 300 mm, cutting height100 mm, laser guide light, In-terested? 0049 (0)170 2473310

ideal for shop fitters:MABA Longitudinal saw ECO3600, built in 1998, cuttinglength max. 3,600 mm, Call: 0049 (0)35204 65127

www.oid.org

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Competent and motivated em-ployees belong to the key fac-tors of successful enterprises. In2007 we want to focus on in-creasing technical and socialcompetence in important fields,which should guarantee us con-tinued recognition as well aslasting economic success in ourbranch.

Essential elements in puttingour motto into practice are per-sonal learning goals and pro-jects, which we wish to agreeupon and merit individually withour employees.

In addition to increasing compe-tence, continuing the work be-gun in 2006 to develop, agreeupon, and apply quality stan-dards is still very important. Itshould be pursued with the goalin mind, of seeking out shortco-mings in our daily work routine,looking for optimum solutionswith the people concerned, andto then agree upon these asquality standards and applythem permanently.

Mathias TempelPlant Management

mottoOur motto for 2007

Increasing competence –securing quality

Valuing machines

Here are two fundamentalfactors:

· Our excellent knowledge ofthe market makes us com-petent

· Our sound company valuesmake us fair

Purchase Department


Any supplements to ourhistory

Have you found any mistakes

in our history? Do you haveany additional important in-formation concerning innova-tions in our industry? Pleasecontact us. We are planning amore extensive release onour new Internet site in 2007.


Coming togetheris a beginning.

Keeping togetheris a progress.

Working togetheris success.

(Henry Ford I.)

We express our gratitude for your partnership in business. Wewant to learn with our business-partners the ability of workingtogether successfully in the long-term. In this sense, may we allcontribute shaping a positive future of the history ofwoodworking machinery.

01662 Meißen

Greetings from the Höchsmann offspring, which are our 90ties and 2000s.

Impressum:

Herausgeber:Höchsmann GmbH

Gestaltung, Satz & Produktion:Druckerei Wagner, Verlag und Werbung GmbH

Höchsmann GmbHSchwabacher Straße 4D-01665 Klipphausen

Telefon 0049 (0) 35204 6510Telefax 0049 (0) 35204 65190

[email protected]

» …to the present state

of technology in 2006. «

(f.l.t.r.)David Höchsmann (2004)Silas Polei (2005)Martin Tempel (2005)Lisa Tempel (1998)Anna Tempel (2000)Christian Schulz (2000)Danielle Höchsmann (1997)Maxim Schmidt (2002)Carlo Szameitat (1998)Stefanie Ziegs (1996)Hannah Höchsmann (1995)

A company knows the

history of woodworking machineryand tries to understand the presence

and shape the future

2006 a company’s research into the history woodworking ... · 1967 the metal- and wood-working...

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