Günter Herlitz
Encyclopedia
Günter Herlitz was born in Berlin
as the son of Carl Herlitz, founder of the Herlitz stationery company
.
and already counted six employees to help with the business. When he was conscripted for military service during the Second World War, Günter Herlitz’s mother took on the running of the business.
During the Second World War, the business premises were destroyed by bombs several times, and thus Günter Herlitz resumed business operations in 1945, following completion of his military service, in a basement in the Berlin district of Moabit
. Initially selling bargains of all kinds, the Herlitz company was the only one of around 20 Berlin wholesalers to succeed in securing a minimal amount of goods during the Berlin Blockade
. When the blockade ended, the company extended its product range considerably. As one of the most important wholesale firms nationwide, Herlitz was able to employ 50 people by 1950.
Due to the political situation in Germany at the time, it became increasingly difficult for the company to get its goods from West Germany to Berlin. As a result, Günter Herlitz decided to manufacture his own stationery. The company began with the production of exercise books, drawing pads and index cards. In 1955, the company was already processing 60 tons of paper each month. Even though the political situation at the time initially prevented Herlitz from supplying customers outside West Berlin
, the company was able to boast an annual turnover circa 1.1 million Euro.
Initial attempts to sell the products on the West German market were unsuccessful; however, in 1960, the breakthrough came about with notebooks and drawing pads with illustrated covers, which was an absolute novelty at the time. In the following years, from 1960 to 1994, the company was able to double its turnover each year. This meant an increase in annual turnover from 2 million Euros in 1960 to 885 million Euros in 1994.
In 1996, Günter Herlitz was honoured for his life’s work at the company’s general meeting and resigned from the board of management. He became the company’s honorary chairman. From then on, he never attended another general meeting of the company.
To this day, the company headquarters are located in Berlin.
After the death of Günter Herlitz in September 2010, his family continues his social commitment and is amongst the most active families in Berlin. In 2003 his son, Dr Klaus Herlitz
and his wife founded the Buddy Bear Help
children's charities organization.
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
as the son of Carl Herlitz, founder of the Herlitz stationery company
Herlitz
Herlitz AG belongs to the leading producers of paper, office supplies and stationery articles in Europe. Herlitz' international headquarter is located in Berlin, Germany.- 1904–1943 :...
.
Biography
Following the founding of the company by his father in 1904, Günter Herlitz took over the business in 1935. He expanded the company from Berlin into Mark BrandenburgProvince of Brandenburg
The Province of Brandenburg was a province of the Kingdom of Prussia and the Free State of Prussia from 1815 to 1946.-History:The first people who are known to have inhabited Brandenburg were the Suevi. They were succeeded by the Slavonians, whom Henry II conquered and converted to Christianity in...
and already counted six employees to help with the business. When he was conscripted for military service during the Second World War, Günter Herlitz’s mother took on the running of the business.
During the Second World War, the business premises were destroyed by bombs several times, and thus Günter Herlitz resumed business operations in 1945, following completion of his military service, in a basement in the Berlin district of Moabit
Moabit
Moabit is an inner city locality of Berlin. Since Berlin's 2001 administrative reform it belongs to the newly regrouped governmental borough of Mitte. Previously, from 1920 to 2001, it belonged to the borough of Tiergarten. Moabit's borders are defined by three watercourses, the Spree, the...
. Initially selling bargains of all kinds, the Herlitz company was the only one of around 20 Berlin wholesalers to succeed in securing a minimal amount of goods during the Berlin Blockade
Berlin Blockade
The Berlin Blockade was one of the first major international crises of the Cold War and the first resulting in casualties. During the multinational occupation of post-World War II Germany, the Soviet Union blocked the Western Allies' railway and road access to the sectors of Berlin under Allied...
. When the blockade ended, the company extended its product range considerably. As one of the most important wholesale firms nationwide, Herlitz was able to employ 50 people by 1950.
Due to the political situation in Germany at the time, it became increasingly difficult for the company to get its goods from West Germany to Berlin. As a result, Günter Herlitz decided to manufacture his own stationery. The company began with the production of exercise books, drawing pads and index cards. In 1955, the company was already processing 60 tons of paper each month. Even though the political situation at the time initially prevented Herlitz from supplying customers outside West Berlin
West Berlin
West Berlin was a political exclave that existed between 1949 and 1990. It comprised the western regions of Berlin, which were bordered by East Berlin and parts of East Germany. West Berlin consisted of the American, British, and French occupation sectors, which had been established in 1945...
, the company was able to boast an annual turnover circa 1.1 million Euro.
Initial attempts to sell the products on the West German market were unsuccessful; however, in 1960, the breakthrough came about with notebooks and drawing pads with illustrated covers, which was an absolute novelty at the time. In the following years, from 1960 to 1994, the company was able to double its turnover each year. This meant an increase in annual turnover from 2 million Euros in 1960 to 885 million Euros in 1994.
In 1996, Günter Herlitz was honoured for his life’s work at the company’s general meeting and resigned from the board of management. He became the company’s honorary chairman. From then on, he never attended another general meeting of the company.
To this day, the company headquarters are located in Berlin.
After the death of Günter Herlitz in September 2010, his family continues his social commitment and is amongst the most active families in Berlin. In 2003 his son, Dr Klaus Herlitz
Klaus and Eva Herlitz
Klaus and Eva Herlitz are German businesspeople, living in Berlin. They are married since 1972 and they have three sons.Klaus Herlitz and Eva Herlitz are the initiators of theUnited Buddy Bears activities...
and his wife founded the Buddy Bear Help
Buddy Bear Help
Buddy Bear Help is a children's aid organisation founded in Berlin in 2004 by Eva Herlitz together with several international artists. "Every cent for the children" - with this motto Buddy Bear Help e.V. guarantees that 100 per cent of the donations and auction revenues from charity activities is...
children's charities organization.