Alsfeld interwoven!Foundation of the Grünewald weaving mill

When discussing the industrial development of Alsfeld, the textile and clothing industry must be mentioned first. One of its pioneers was Carl Fr. Grünewald, born in Arolsen in 1833, who immigrated to Alsfeld as a young man. Together with his later brother-in-law Heinrich Bücking, he founded a company in 1857 “for the manufacture and distribution of linen goods.”

Production initially took place on the hand looms common at the time. However, the transition to mechanical weaving operations soon followed. Around 1900, Grünewald was one of the first to introduce individual electric drives for the looms. Initially, the company produced raw linen, packing cloth, semi-jute linen, and sacks. The customer base eventually extended throughout Germany.

The Second World War marked a severe turning point in the company’s development. Struck by American bombs, the Grünewald weaving mill lay in ruins in the spring of 1945. Yet, after reconstruction under difficult conditions, the company was able to celebrate its 100th anniversary in 1957. Adaptations to changing market conditions were inevitable, but the name Grünewald has endured in Alsfeld to this day. (NH)