Findbuch: 4745 AE = 1816-1976; unlisted: 20 lfm files as well as approx. 500 maps and plans The company, founded in 1717 at the latest, was traditionally strongly export-oriented in its traditional business of knife and scissors production. The main markets were Holland and Belgium, and since the end of the 19th century also overseas markets. The focus here was on the colonial areas of Asia, at the latest with the establishment of a branch in Buenos Aires in 1908, but trade with South America also experienced a significant upswing. However, the development of North American, African and other European markets failed. After the First World War, the company invested in its own drop forge, which also allowed it to act as a supplier to domestic industries. At the peak of its development, Herder employed around 450 factory workers and salaried employees as well as about the same number of home workers. Herder retained its character as a manageable and probably conservative family business until the end, which was unable to diversify any further apart from the production of drop forgings. In 1993 the company finally had nothing left to oppose the intensifying price competition on its traditional markets towards the end of the 20th century: It filed for bankruptcy after the traditional knife and scissors production had already been sold. The focus of overdelivery is on relationships with suppliers and customers. The network of business partners, the focus of which was the Herder company, and the transformation of this network over the decades become recognisable. Documents on the company's internal relations, work organisation, cost calculations, etc., on the other hand, are only sparsely available.
