History

The next step in the generational change was completed at the turn of the year 2018/2019. Tobias Schwald is taking over shares in the company from Karl Schwald and becoming a co-partner. Karl-Schwald-and-Tobias-Schwald-v-l Tobias Schwald (right) will remain true to the company's philosophy while also bringing new and unique ideas to the table.

Following the takeover of MVN, the locations were merged and the Umpferstedt branch was relocated to Nordhausen. Address of the branch: Freiherr-vom-Stein-Str. 21 99734 Nordhausen

Customer proximity is one of the most important parameters. The branch in Bavaria will be opened under the management of Richard and Tobias Schwald.

Next step in the generational change. Tobias Schwald becomes managing director.

Takeover of the lubricants business of Scholz in Umpferstedt, Thuringia, relocation of the Erfurt branch to its own office and warehouse premises in Umpferstedt.

Tobias Schwald, son of Karl Schwald, takes up his new position as a member of the management team after relocating from Kempten to Dresden. Commissioning of the laboratory. Planning of a new warehouse.

Start of construction of the modern research and development laboratory with a total investment volume of EUR 1.2 million.

The first mobile service team is deployed.

The celebration will take place in the newly acquired premises at Lohrmannstraße 10. The new logistics center will also be opened here in 2008 and the production facility will be expanded.

Opening of the branch office in Erfurt.

Takeover of ESSO Sachsen's business activities in Chemnitz in 2006: Distribution of ESSO ExxonMobil automotive, industrial, and aviation products in Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia. The management team is expanded. Richard Schwald, Karl Schwald's brother, focuses particularly on strengthening the care product range. The first ELASKON care station is opened.

Thanks to significant financial investment and great personal commitment on the part of the new owner Karl Schwald, the newly built facility was officially inaugurated on May 2, 2003. In front of numerous guests from the professional world and society, Kurt Biedenkopf, former Prime Minister of Saxony, cut the ribbon to mark the opening.

Following a brief period of involvement by DEA-Mineralöle, Hamburg, and a change of name to DEA ELASKON GmbH & Co. KG, Karl Schwald, former managing director at Präg, took over the company with effect from January 1, 2000. The new management team's solid foundation is built on many years of experience in the production of special lubricants, the trust this has earned among customers in Germany and abroad, and the expertise of the company's employees.

Effective June 30, 1993, Elaskonwerk GmbH Dresden is sold to Adolf Präg GmbH & Co. KG, Kempten, a major medium-sized mineral oil company in the Federal Republic of Germany. New company name: Elaskon-Präg GmbH & Co. Mineralöl KG. Karl Schwald continues to serve as managing director.

Concrete talks are held with the Präg company from Kempten in the Allgäu region. Time-consuming negotiations follow, particularly due to the “legacy issues” at the Heidenau and Reick sites. Both sides strive to reach an agreement with the involvement of the environmental authorities and the Ministry of Economic Affairs. The successful conclusion of the negotiations is attributable not least to the good personal contact that developed between the two negotiators, Gerd Deisenhofer and Günther Gedecke. The determination and involvement of the appropriate parties led to the desired contractual agreement. On April 28, 1992, the Saxon State Office for the Settlement of Open Property Issues issued the retransfer notice to the sole shareholder, Günther Gedecke.

The application to dissolve the ELASKON combine is approved on March 14, 1990, and on April 1, 1990, it is deleted from the register of state-owned enterprises. At the same time, Günther Gedecke is dismissed from his position as director of the combine. On July 27, 1990, the former general partner of the company, Günther Gedecke, applies to the Treuhandanstalt Dresden for the reprivatization of the Elaskonwerk Dresden. The company operates under the name Elaskonwerk Dresden GmbH i.A.

The opening of the GDR and the fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989 also had an impact on ELASKON. An application was submitted to dissolve the ELASKON combine. In 1989, “industrial goods production” at industrial transfer prices amounted to approximately 100 million East German marks. Exports are a key factor in the company's performance. Focus areas: rope lubricants and a newly developed emulsion base oil.

The product "ELASKON 20" is awarded a diploma and gold medal by the Leipzig Trade Fair Office in conjunction with the DAMW for technical chemistry in the GDR for its universal application in the wire rope industry.

At the “Agra” agricultural exhibition in Leipzig, the company receives the gold medal for its products in recognition of its high quality standards.

Between 1976 and 1981, extensive investment measures at the Heidenau plant brought the technological production process into line with industry standards and safety requirements and regulations.

With the takeover of the former VEB Technische Öle Heidenau, the range of predominantly high-viscosity lubricants is expanded to include low-viscosity mineral oils. The formulations for this product group are completely revised, bringing their quality in line with international standards.

ELASKON has its own stand at the Leipzig Trade Fair for the first time. Until spring 1990, the company will be represented at every spring and fall trade fair in Leipzig. DIN 21258 – preservative for drive sheave conveyor ropes is developed in collaboration with the Bochum rope testing center. Participation in the revision of relevant regulations and laws in the international arena. Publications in trade journals in Germany and abroad. Implementation and organization of specialist events and active participation through specialist lectures in Germany and abroad, for example every two to three years as part of the “Lubricant Symposium ELASKON” in Austria.

A fire destroys the production building in Dresden-Laubegast. Production of the lubricant range is subsequently relocated to the Dresden-Reick plant. Over the following years, the tank farm at the Reick plant is transformed into a modern, high-performance production facility. The Leipzig Trade Fair Office, in conjunction with the DAMW for Technical Chemistry in the GDR, awards the lubricant “ELASKON II” a diploma and gold medal.

With effect from January 1, 1961, TGL* standard 11877 was introduced for rope lubricants. *(TGL refers to the technical standards, quality specifications, and delivery conditions that were valid in the GDR from 1955 to 1990, analogous to the West German DIN standards.)

The trademark “ELASKON” was introduced in 1960 and has been legally protected internationally ever since.

Günther Gedecke becomes general partner. The GDR state becomes another limited partner. From January 1, 1958, to April 17, 1972, the company operates with “state participation.”

Together with laboratory manager Horst Riedel, Günther Gedecke develops a special process for manufacturing a conveyor rope lubricant, which is patented in 1957. The product “ELASKON II conveyor rope protection” is approved by the Supreme Mining Authority for use in rope conveyor operations. After intensive testing, approval is granted by the Westphalian Mining Association – Rope Testing Center in Bochum. With the decisive involvement of ELASKON, the entire “rope lubricants” complex is standardized, resulting in clear product guidelines. Günther Gedecke takes over the business. With him, further measures are taken to specialize production, establish an efficient research department, and reorganize the technical and commercial areas.

Withdrawal of the order as an “excessive measure” and, on June 17, 1953, return of Richter - Co. KG to its owners.

The company is placed under “trust.”

1930 to 1945: Establishment of in-house production under the brand name “RICOL.” Expansion of the product range to include specialty products by 1945.

Artur Richter founds Richter - Co. KG in Dresden-Laubegast as a trading company for technical oils.