Experience Issue 2021

FROM THE SEWING MACHINE TO THE LARGEST
WORKING PLATFORM IN THE WORLD
1901 On 01.10.1901 Anton
Ruthmann founds a shop for bicycles
and sewing machines at the
former railway station in Münster.
1920 Construction of a
production hall and warehouse
where Anton Ruthmann produces
and sells his own agricultural
machines.
1909 Due to differences of
opinion within the family about the
management, Anton Ruthmann
moved to Gescher and became
independent once again with a
bicycle business. His wife Clara
manages the “Gabelpunkt” inn
which they have rented.
The company building at the railway station in Gescher
approximately in 1928
1911 He expands the
business by a workshop where
he repairs and sells agricultural
machines.
1926 Purchase of the
country inn “Gabelpunkt” and
rebuilding in a modern hotel
managed by his wife.
1930 Expansion of the pro-
duction by transport machines for
internal purposes such as e.g. sack
trucks or hand carts.
1934 Registration of the
workshop at the Chamber of
Trade Münster in order to carry
out contract work e.g. for the
production of spare-parts for the
mining industry. Also the first
orders from the “Reichsbahn”
for the RUTHMANN containers
bring additional work.
1940 During the Second
World War, the family moves
closer and works in the company
in Gescher. Orders from DEMAG
and the “Reichsbahn” ensure the
continuity of the company.
RUTHMANN presented the lift truck in 1950.
1947 RUTHMANN gets a
provisional production permit from
the English military authorities.
Work can be resumed in the partially
destroyed factory.
1950 The Ruthmann brothers
recognize the great potential
of a self-propelled lift trucks and
present them for the first time at
the “Road and Rail” exhibition in
Essen. The lift truck causes a big
sensation and brings RUTHMANN
full order books.
RUTHMANN produced in 1934 among other things transport containers
for the “Reichsbahn”.
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In 1952, the first lifting equipment for mounting works.