You’ve probably already noticed: We look different. Around 25 years after the last design change, we have also given ourselves a new look in line with our future-oriented corporate philosophy.
Logo, colors, typography: everything is now more contemporary, clearer, simpler and reflects our interlocking trades of scale construction and automation.
Nevertheless, we remain true to tradition: if you call us, we will still call you ESSMANN, or ESSMANN Waagen + Automation. Because the name Essmann has always stood for reliable, precise weighing technology and will remain so. We would like to tell you here how our appearance has developed over the decades.
The founder of the company, C.M. Westphal, had already depicted a beam scale on his top-panel scales patented in 1877. His nephews and successors, the Eßmann brothers, registered this beam scale with the Hammaburg with their initials and a laurel wreath as a trademark.
This illustration comes from an anniversary publication from 1910.
In the 1920s, there are two Essmann scale makers: Ludwig Eßmann retains the trademark and also specializes in gas meters. He later moved to the Proviantamt in Bahrenfeld, where his name can still be seen on the façade today.
Albert changes its name to Albert Eßmann & Co.: The abbreviation Alesco, which is also used for high-speed scales, is created.
Alesco high-speed scales and Alesco truck scales are used in food factories, goods sheds, goods stations, customs offices, cold stores, baggage weighing at railroad stations, gas works, warehouses, large slaughterhouses, cigarette factories, large laundries, mills and large bakeries, where they are still used today in some places with the old type plates as decoration and as a reminder of times gone by.
In 1931, Albert’s son Heinrich takes over the scales factory.
When he dies in 1936, the company is run by a woman for the first time: His widow Erika Eßmann took over the business until her son Horst joined the company and then took over in 1959.
In the 1970s, the name of the company was changed to HE Wägetechnik Horst Essmann GmbH and the logo with the two long legs of the “E”, which is still familiar today, was created.
In 1987, son Michael Essmann joins the company.
He took over the business with his wife Manuela in 1998. The two run the company until 2021.
In spring 2021, HE Wägetechnik Horst Eßmann GmbH will be handed over to the new managing partners Dr.-Ing. Fabian Ehmke, Dr.-Ing. Gregor Graßl and René Teichmann after an intensive takeover period.
They put the traditional company on a secure footing for the future and expand the industrial scales portfolio with small and precision scales and automation solutions through the acquisition of Hamburg-based WHI Wägetechnik für Handel und Industrie GmbH & Co. The new brands ESSMANN Waagen, ESSMANN Automation and ESSMANN Waagen-Discounter are created.
Photo campaign: Historic Essmann scales
Do you know where historic ESSMANN or Alesco scales can still be found? Send us photos of your discovery to info@essmann.com or post them on social media with the hashtag #ESSMANNWaagen! We will combine all submitted photos with your photo credit and the location where they were found to create a gallery and will raffle off Aktion-Mensch tickets among all entrants at the end of 2023!
