A Book about Specialized Companies

Presentation at the Foreign Ministry in Berlin

Herford, 19.06.2012

The book Handgemacht – Die schönsten Manufakturen Deutschlands (Handmade — Germany's Most Beautiful Workshops) was presented at the Foreign Ministry in Berlin on 28th February 2012. In this book, the history, development, and production methods of Poggenpohl are presented in an elegantly written and richly illustrated six-page article. As VIP guest the foreign minister Guido Westerwelle participated in the event.

The book, which was edited by Dr. Florian Langenscheidt, describes 76 German companies that still make their products "by hand" and form the foundation and guiding principle of the history of German skilled craftsmanship and the German economy. "Today these specialized companies represent tradition and exclusivity. The large proportion of skilled craftsmanship makes each of their products a unique masterpiece. These exclusive manufacturers are exemplary employers that create jobs and traineeships for highly qualified candidates and thus create added value for their locations as well," writes Langenscheidt in his commentary. "This book presents selected companies that represent the current situation of Germany's specialized industries. The book's opulent materials and design reflect the care, attention to detail, and individuality of these specialized companies' products." The book, which is about 300 pages long, was created in cooperation with the Deutsche Manufakturen (German Workshops) initiative, which Poggenpohl helped to establish. It is available at bookstores for €78.