“Drive to Gate 1 (Henkelstrasse 67).” You hear the guide’s words echoing through the group. “Visitor parking is available nearby. The driving time from the Dusseldorf airport to Henkel is about twenty minutes. A taxi ride from the central station to Henkel takes about ten minutes.” The guide points to a large, imposing structure with a gate. “This is Henkel Gate 3 and it’s a key part of Henkel’s headquarters in Dusseldorf.”
Henkel is a German multinational chemical and consumer goods company, founded in 1876. It’s a DAX company, meaning it is one of the top 30 companies listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. They are famous for brands like Loctite, Persil, Fa, Pritt, Dial, and Purex.
In 1878, Henkel bought out his two partners and the first German brand-name detergent appeared: Henkel’s Bleich-Soda. It was made from sodium silicate and soda. To take advantage of better transport links and sales opportunities, Henkel relocated his company to Dusseldorf on the Rhine. Dusseldorf was the gateway to the Ruhr region, the most important industrial area of the German Empire from the 19th century onwards.
You may notice the gate’s impressive size and intricate design. It stands guard over the main entrance of a sprawling industrial complex. If you look closely, you can see the Henkel logo engraved on it symbolizing the company’s commitment to innovation. Just a few steps from the Gate, you can see a plaque commemorating Henkel’s history and the city’s proud industrial heritage.
As we continue our journey, keep in mind that this gate is not just a physical barrier, but also a symbolic one. It represents Henkel’s legacy and its commitment to innovation. Today, Henkel is a global leader in the chemical and consumer goods industries with offices all over the world. The gate stands as a reminder of the company’s humble beginnings and its journey from a small German soap factory to a world-renowned company.