Weltmeister
VEB Klingenthaler Harmonikawerke in Vogtland in Saxony
VEB Bandonionwerk Carlsfeld, Erzgebirge in Saxony
The fading lettering of the VEB Klingenthaler Harmonikawerke built in 1957-60, known worldwide as of the brand Weltmeister.
Even before the founding of the GDR in 1949, the expropriation of medium-sized companies began in the Soviet occupation zone. Numerous instrument manufacturing companies have also been People Ownership Companys (VEB) and later merged into the VEB Klingenthaler Harmonikawerke, for example.
There has been a long tradition of manufacture in Klingenthal and the surrounding area since the 19th century, especially in the construction of mouth organs and accordions.
At its peak, around 2,500 people were employed here.
In 2014, in a successor company, there are about 80 employees.
Between the railroad tracks and the long row of factories there were more Production buildings that were demolished in 2014.
Manufacture: VEB Bandonionwerk Carlsfeld (formerly Alfred Arnold) around 1950, (H: 27cm; T: 31cm)
An early instrument of GDR production from the VEB Bandonionwerk Carlsfeld. This factory originated from the Alfred Arnold company, which was expropriated and nationalized in 1948. The Work was later incorporated into the VEB Klingenthaler Harmonikawerke.
But the Bandonion construction ceased in the course of the 1950s and accordion production expanded.
A large part of the senior staff went to West Germany. The 'Socialist production' had to master the pitfalls of their planned economy. In spite of everything, the Klingenthaler Harmonikawerke developed into a large company that exported mainly Weltmeister accordions worldwide and especially to leading the Eastern Bloc.
Expropriation letter on the victim's company paper:
"Carlsfeld/Erzg., den 7.Mai 1948.
Mr Horst Arnold, Carlsfeld/Erzg., Nr. 53c.
In the interest of the orderly continuation of business, it is essential that necessary that the company keys still in your possession are used for desk etc. are handed over to the acting manager. We ask you to therefore to hand over the keys by Wednesday, May 12, 1948. You can pick up your personal belongings still in the desk in our presence..."
"...If you do not comply with our request by Wednesday, May 12th, please contact us. To our regret, we feel compelled to open the cupboards professionally to leave. We have also asked Mr. Paul Arnold to provide the cash register keys. to be handed over... Mr. Arnold did not comply with our request... In addition we will report this matter to the district council of Aue, if our decision in this regard Please do not comply."
Signed by "Works Representative" and "Acting Operations Manager", as well as with the stamp of the expropriated company! (The "VEB" stamp was probably still a work in progress.)
