From brush maker to sweeper specialist
The history of the traditional Stolzenberg company
With over 135 years of experience, the Stolzenberg family business can look back on an impressive history. It all began in the 19th century, when Hermann Stolzenberg went travelling after completing his training as a brush maker in Osnabrück. He deepened his knowledge in the centres of his trade at the time - the Black Forest and the Ore Mountains - before founding his own company in his home town of Osnabrück in 1889. The craftsman became a businessman.
Even then, the name Stolzenberg stood for integrity and quality. The company's ledger began with the words "with God" - a promise that testified to an honest and conscientious business operation. These values still characterise the company today.
Growth and reconstruction
In the first ten years, the company grew so much that it had to move twice within Osnabrück. For over 100 years - from 1900 to 2002 - Stolzenberg was based in Rehmstraße/Heinrichstraße.
After the First World War, Wilhelm Stolzenberg joined the company and led it through difficult times: Inflation, a serious fire in the woodworking department and the destruction of the company by bombing raids during the Second World War. Despite these challenges, Stolzenberg began to rebuild the company immediately after the war.
The company presented its products again at the first post-war trade fair in Cologne. In the 1930s, the first forerunners of modern sweepers were added to the range. From the 1950s onwards, Stolzenberg continued to develop mechanical floor cleaning equipment and launched a series of small carpet sweepers and the first floor sweeper onto the market.
Innovation and zeitgeist
Dieter Stolzenberg, the third generation, joined the company in 1957. Under his leadership, Stolzenberg developed a complete range of mechanical carpet sweepers and also established itself in international competition. For the first time, the company offered its products as private label solutions, which were sold under the brands of other manufacturers.
When the household hoover pushed the carpet sweeper out of the market, Stolzenberg focussed on innovation: in the 1960s, one of the world's first hand-held sweepers was created. In 1978, the company developed the Tandem Roller System (TRS) - a milestone for industrial cleaning.
Flexibility and internationalisation
Kai Stolzenberg has been managing the company in the fourth generation since 1996. Under his leadership, the product range has expanded from semi-professional machines to fully hydraulic ride-on sweepers with high discharge.
The company focused on internationalisation and modern sales strategies. Today, Stolzenberg sweepers are in use all over the world - from Australia to the USA, from Iceland to South Africa. With an export quota of 80 %, Stolzenberg is one of the leading suppliers in the industry.
The development and assembly of all machines remains firmly in our own hands, supported by close co-operation with international suppliers and a dedicated team. Thanks to efficient production and flexible customer orientation, Stolzenberg can customise machines within a very short time.