An unconventional gift to employees with a strong message

A roaster is not only a symbol of cooking delicious food, but it also reminds us of the moments that follow after the preparation of food. Dining together is a pleasant and popular social event that has a high value in everyday life – in all countries and cultures of the world.

Therefore, it also perfectly describes our entire community of companies and our international presence. But in fact, there is much more behind this gift...

After the Second World War, exactly 50 of the original 1,000 employees remained. Most of the survivors scattered to all corners of the world and many were captured. As soon as possible, several of them returned to their old workplace to help in an almost hopeless reconstruction. After several bombings, only rubble remained of the company compound, and the majority of the working machinery had been taken by Allied troops. Although other companies were paying higher wages at that time, the loyalty of the employees was admirable!

At first the employees managed to rebuild the grey cast iron foundry. However, they had to overcome many obstacles. The casting was possible only once a week. The necessary raw materials such as coke or cast iron were not enough to produce goods. The working hours were often shifted to night hours because electricity was also rationed. Gradually, they started to produce ropes, pulleys, levers for interlocking as well as pans and roasters.

Shortly after the war, money had no value. It was the pans and roasters, which could also be used in everyday life, that became a valuable commodity. Our company began to trade in them. We used to buy the necessary materials thanks this trade. Of course, some of the cast iron roasters also "ended up" with the employees, so they could get through the difficult times together with the company.

This period lasted from 1945 until the monetary reform that took place in Germany in 1948. It that time a team spirit – our important corporate value – made the difference. Thanks to the tremendous cohesion of the employees, the company survived!

From the 1950s onwards, our company began to prosper economically. We started to produce petrol station stands and they caused a boom on the market. The stands had special quality, because their cladding was enamelled. The enamel surface is fuel-resistant and represents one of the hardest surface coatings, then as now.

The same finish is also used on the roasters that we have donated to our employees and we believe that they will serve them well for a very long time. And maybe even to their grandchildren.

Enamel is known for consistency and reliability. These values are also characteristic of our company. Our consistency and creativity helped us to recover our business after the war and build the economic foundation on which the company still stands today.

The enamel roaster symbolizes the reconstruction of Scheidt & Bachmann that took place 75 years ago – exactly halfway through our corporate history. It represents our cohesion, the company's willingness to adapt and rise from zero to the great international corporate community we are today.

This 150^th anniversary gift is in many ways firmly linked to the history of Scheidt & Bachmann. It is a small piece of the company's history, so to speak.

We hope that our employees will use the cast iron roaster often and with pleasure. And that it will always remind them at least a little of the 150-year tradition of our family business – which they are a part of and which future they are currently shaping themselves.