Journey back to 1858 with me to understand the story of C. J. Vogel Draht- und Kabelwerke AG. Julius Vogel founded C.J. Vogel Telegraphendraht-Fabrik that year. This translates to Telegraph Wire Factory.
Initially, the company operated from rented rooms. These rooms included three chambers and a kitchen. Quickly, the company secured significant clients. Siemens & Halske was among them.
In 1864, C. J. Vogel Draht- und Kabelwerke AG acquired a house. It was located on Ritter Street 39 in Berlin. This became the company’s first owned headquarters. A wire drawing mill was already present in this building. Later, the company purchased it.
Max Vogel, the eldest son of C.J. Vogel, joined the company. He entered the business between 1880 and 1885. Otto Vogel, the younger son, joined in 1886.
By 1889, C. J. Vogel Draht- und Kabelwerke AG relocated. It moved to newly constructed factory facilities. These were on a previously acquired property in Adlershof near Berlin.
The company transformed into a stock corporation. This happened on December 7, 1897. The initial capital stock was 1,000,000 Mark. Otto Vogel, son of Carl Julius Vogel, managed the Adlershof plant. It was nicknamed “Drahtvogel”. The plant’s logo featured a narrow drum.
By 1923, the capital of C. J. Vogel Draht- und Kabelwerke AG increased. It rose to 208,000,000 Mark. The Adlershof plant produced various wires. Their sizes ranged from 0.03 mm upwards. It also manufactured strands. Honeycomb coils, transformer coils, and telephone receiver coils were made there. The plant further produced loudspeaker cords, headphone cords and battery cords. Frame antennas were also a product.
Ledion coils became well-known by 1923. Frame antennas were produced. These included “Ledion-Ultradyne-Empfänger”. Other products were “Ledion-Tropadyne-Empfänger”. “Ledion-Neutrodyne-Empfänger” and “Ledion-Kurzwellenempfänger” were also available. These came as kits or blueprints with brochures for 2.00 RM.
In 1926, C. J. Vogel Draht- und Kabelwerke AG apparently restructured. This is evident from two advertisements.
In 1929, C. J. Vogel Draht- und Kabelwerke AG acquired more shares. These were in “Ariadne-Draht- und Kabelwerke AG” in Vienna. Thus, the Vogel Group owned almost 100% of the share capital.
In 1946, the Adlershof and Köpenick plants were seized. They were located in East Berlin. After nationalization, they became “VEB Kabelwerk Adlershof” and “VEB Kabelwerk Köpenick”. Radio technology was no longer produced.
Active business resumed in 1956. This involved selling cables and wires. The company utilized old postal quotas.
In 1958, the shares of Ariadne-Draht- und Kabelwerke AG in Vienna were expropriated.
In 1963, the Gulden loan from 1928 was redeemed. This was done according to the London Debt Agreement.
C. J. Vogel Draht- und Kabelwerke AG joined the telecommunications community. This was a rationalization cartel. Its purpose was to supply the Federal Post Office and Railway. This happened in 1966.
In 1973, “Vogel Kabelwerk GmbH” was founded. This was a joint venture with Kabelmetall in Hanover.
In 1975, the qualified Vogel majority was sold. Elektrische Licht- und Kraftanlagen AG sold 76.96% to clients. These clients were from the asset management of Stadtsparkasse Hannover.
The Vogel-Kabel Kabelwerk GmbH dissolved in 1977.
In 1993, “OTTO AG für Beteiligungen, Hamburg” acquired 20% of the share capital. Throughout 1994, more shares were acquired. By the end of the year, the company owned 95.05%.
In 1998, the company name changed. It became “C. J. VOGEL AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT für BETEILIGUNGEN, Hamburg”.
C. J. Vogel Draht- und Kabelwerke AG’s journey reflects German industrial history. From telegraph wires to diverse electrical products, it adapted. Despite nationalization and restructuring, its legacy endures. It evolved into an investment company.