A Generational Passion
In 1846, at the age of 22, Carl Wilhelm Franz Schlobach at the Thomas Mill in Leipzig, transitioned from using water power to mill wheat to sawing logs into thin slices of veneer. From England, he purchased a James Watt steam engine, one of the very first in Germany at the time, to build a veneer factory outside the town. This was the beginning of the veneer industry in Germany. It also was the starting point for a company with owners, who were soon active throughout the world running veneer, lumber, plywood, and office furniture factories.
Around the occasion of the 50th anniversary celebration, in 1896 Mahogany was already acquired from Africa. Carl Wilhelm Franz Schlobach was made Royal Counsellor of Commerce in Saxony. Shortly thereafter his sons, Georg and Walter Schlobach joined the business. Under their leadership the company was expanded to become one of the most important in the industry, having numerous factories and branches as well as timber concessions in several continents. In 1920 the veneer mill in the port of Hamburg was constructed to handle the import of logs from Africa.
The 75th anniversary jubilee was celebrated in 1921 and by the end of the twenties production had increased to exceed 33,840,000 board feet worldwide.
Georg’s son Franz Henning Schlobach, the third generation, was entrusted in 1934 with the direction of the veneer mill in Hamburg. The 100th anniversary fell in the year 1946 – a time of great tribulation. The labor of several generations was destroyed. Five veneer and sawmills, among them the parent company in Leipzig, were expropriated in Eastern Germany, and the company in Hamburg was completely destroyed in World War II by bombs in 1943.
A New Start On A Foundation Of Tradition
Out of the ruins in Hamburg, Franz-Henning Schlobach and then the 4th generation lead by brothers, Hans-Peter and Christian Schlobach, did not wait long to rebuild the mill. Schlobach Gebr. started in Hamburg specializing in the custom cutting, importing, and marketing of veneer.
In 1962, Hans-Peter Schlobach carried the company to the United States. Crown Hardwood was incorporated to supply logs for Hamburg and export to customers worldwide. In 1980, Crown Veneer opened its doors to supply the US architectural market with veneer from all over the world. In 2021, his son Stephan Schlobach, the fifth generation, took over the helm and the Crown log and veneer companies celebrated
175 years of Schlobach wood.
The Crown companies are currently engaged around the globe and striving to be a key player in the industry and leading the companies to the next historical milestone in the Schlobach tradition.
