Long before industrialisation, in the 19th century, the Grüner Tal valley near Iserlohn was an ideal location for companies involved in the processing and working of various metals. The natural conditions, the abundant supply of wood as a raw material and the extraction of iron ore and calamine for the production of brass and bronze offered the best conditions for these settlements.
In the 18th century, a smelter for the coveted brass and bronze was established on the site of today's Erich Dieckmann GmbH.
In the 1870s, the Kuhlmann brothers founded a factory here for the production of decorative brass fittings.
After the Kuhlmann company went bankrupt, Erich Dieckmann, a wholesaler and manufacturer from Dortmund, bought the company on 1 May 1936.
At the beginning of the 1940s, the production of fittings was converted to aluminium.
Together with his eldest son Dieter, a sister factory was built in Renchen near Offenburg in 1956. Today, the factory belongs to the American Ingersoll Rand Group under the name NORMBAU.
In Iserlohn, Rudolf Dieckmann, the founder's second eldest son, joined the management team as the second generation.
As a traditional manufacturer of building hardware, the company earned a good reputation in the production connection trade under the brand name edi in the first decades of its existence.
In the early 1970s, the company had the opportunity to tap into further segments in the newly emerging growth market of
construction and DIY stores.
Changing conditions in the early 1990s prompted the company to focus on its old core competencies
and redefine its strategic orientation.
In-house product development and manufacturing in Iserlohn were once again placed at the centre of the strategy.
High-quality aluminium and stainless steel fittings for doors at a reasonable price , bearing the "made in Germany" label, are now the focus of the company's philosophy.
New product ideas and developments, extensive innovations in the product range and considerable investments led the company to the desired success.
Supported by its connections to the PVH purchasing associations, it has been possible to re-establish many old contacts with well-known dealers over time.
Since the mid-1990s, Rainer Dieckmann, the third generation, has taken over responsibility for the company.
New fitting technologies for front door and window fittings were introduced following the acquisition of MAWEX GmbH in 2002, opening up opportunities for further market segments.
Over the last 20 years, modern production facilities have been gradually built at the site in Grüne. However, production still continues in the historic buildings dating back to the industrialisation era.
Erich Dieckmann GmbH, a company with more than 75 years of history, feels committed to the region and its population. It is part of the company's philosophy and objectives to preserve industrial jobs for Iserlohn.
Despite the inevitable need to source materials globally, long-term business security and sufficient value creation at the Iserlohn plant are at the forefront of the company's strategic goals.
We are proud to say that Erich Dieckmann GmbH is now one of Germany's leading manufacturers of contemporary fittings for apartment doors and front doors for the markets in Germany and many parts of the world.
The prerequisite for success is and always has been a qualified and committed workforce and customers who have remained loyal to us over many years.