1888 - 1973 The beginning
1888 | Hugo Kern began producing tension springs in Schramberg for the clock-making industry in the Black Forest. In the years that followed, the company's building was expanded several times and the company acquired special expertise in spring manufacturing. |
1920 | Ernst Hugo Kern, son of Hugo Kern, took over the company and changed it to Hugo Kern KG. |
1936 | Dr. rer. pol. Kurt Steim, Hugo Kern's grandson, joined the company as business manager after the death of Ernst Hugo Kern. |
1947 | Knitting parts production built up - stamped parts for textile machinery and the textile industry. Over the next few years, the know-how acquired made it possible to extend the range of products to include high-precision fineblanked / stamped parts. |
1965 | Automatic safety belts put in automobiles as a passive personal safety measure. Hugo Kern KG recognized the market potential of the retractor springs used and became a development partner of seatbelt, automobile and steel producers from the very beginning. |
1970 | Robert Drosten, son-in-law of Dr. Kurt Steim, joined the company as business manager. |
1971 | Hugo Kern KG merged with knitting parts factory Liebers & Co., Ingolstadt, to become Hugo Kern und Liebers GmbH & Co., giving birth to the "KERN-LIEBERS" brand. |
1972 | Move to the new company grounds in Schramberg-Sulgen |
1973 | Wire spring production built up |
