140 Years of Demmel –
A Journey Through Our Company’s History

Why is DEMMEL AG actually called Demmel?

What surprises many people is that when it was founded, the company wasn’t even called Demmel yet.

In 1886, the company was founded under the name Luppe & Heilbronner. It wasn’t until many years later that its path crossed with that of a second Munich-based company.

In 1907, Sebastian Demmel founded a small workshop for the production of door and industrial signs. The regional craft business evolved into a successful manufacturer of industrial labeling solutions.

In 1954, the owners of S. Demmel OHG, Carl Demmel and Eugen Holderried, took over the metal etching shop in Scheidegg. This brought two companies with rich traditions together into a shared history.

The name Demmel, therefore, does not mark the beginning of our company’s history—rather, it is the result of its evolution.

International reach has been part of our history for over 100 years

Just a few years after its founding, the company began expanding far beyond Munich. Sales offices were established in Prague, St. Petersburg, Brussels, Paris, and London, among other cities. The products won awards at international exhibitions and found customers far beyond Germany’s borders.

A notable example of this is an artfully crafted tin by Luppe & Heilbronner, produced around 1900 specifically for the French market. It impressively demonstrates that design, quality, and precision were already gaining international recognition back then.

For DEMMEL AG, therefore, internationality is not a development of the last few decades—it has been part of the company’s history from the very beginning.

Overcoming Crises—Moving Forward Together

The history of DEMMEL AG has not been a straightforward one. Two world wars, inflation, and economic crises repeatedly presented the company with major challenges.

The year 1942 was particularly devastating. The factory on Birkenleiten in Munich was almost completely destroyed in a bombing raid. Production had to be relocated to Pförring on the Danube. Despite extremely difficult conditions, the company managed to keep operations going and lay the foundation for its later reconstruction.

This ability to constantly reinvent itself continues to define the company to this day.

The Little Truck That Kept Scheidegg Alive

After the acquisition of the Scheidegg site in 1954, an extraordinary chapter in the company’s history began.

Every Friday, a small 34 PS Tempo-Matador set off from Munich to Scheidegg. Loaded with raw materials, cut pieces, supplies, and new orders, it took four to five hours to travel along country roads and through numerous villages.

These regular trips were far more than mere transport. They ensured that production in Scheidegg could continue at all and became a symbol of solidarity, pragmatism, and the shared determination to lead the company successfully into the future.

A Veterinarian Takes the Reins

In 1956, another extraordinary chapter began.

Dr. Paul Holderried, son of Eugen Holderried Sr., came from an entrepreneurial family and was working at the time as a veterinarian in Hagnau on Lake Constance. When it became clear that the appointed managing director was unable to successfully manage the Scheidegg location, he decided to take a bold step.

At the age of 53, he gave up his profession and took over as managing director, assuming responsibility for the Scheidegg location.

Under his leadership, structures were established, processes were improved, and the foundation for further development was laid. Original RAL color charts from this period serve as a reminder today of the precision with which work was carried out even back then.

Innovation Creates New Opportunities

In the 1970s, the company continued to evolve steadily.

New processes such as screen printing, as well as innovative products like DURASET, significantly expanded the company’s range of services. A preserved sign manual containing original material and color samples impressively documents the technical progress of that era.

In 1986, the company entered the automotive industry with the first thermo-pressed wheel cover badges for BMW—an important milestone for the company’s future direction.

Just three years later, another chapter began with the founding of Dyna Systems GmbH. The company’s entry into the development and manufacture of Human-Machine Interfaces (HMI) laid the foundation for numerous technologies that continue to shape the company to this day.

Understanding the past. Shaping the future.

The history of DEMMEL AG is marked by innovative spirit, entrepreneurial courage, and people who have taken on responsibility.

Over four generations, a small metal etching shop evolved into an internationally active technology company. Much has changed—but our commitment to quality, precision, and the passion for turning ideas into innovative products has remained.

With our DEMMEL ARCHIVE series, we aim to preserve this history while demonstrating that the future is always built upon the experiences of the past.