NORRES Group - History

Burkhard Mollen takes up employment as an engineer

ab 1993

Burkhard Mollen takes up employment as an engineer in the NORRES Schlauchtechnik Research & Development department.

Market launch of PROTAPE® film hoses

1989

Market launch of PROTAPE® film hoses.

NORRES develops CP (clamp profile) hoses

1985

NORRES Schlauchtechnik develops and launches the first CP (clamp profile) hoses.

First plastic spiral hoses made of welded profile

1974

Production of the first plastic spiral hoses made of welded profile. This innovative step is followed by the development and manufacture of AIRDUC® profile hoses.

Focus on Industrial Hoses
Focus on Industrial Hoses

1973

NORRES takes the decision to divest itself of its fuse lighter business and concentrate on industrial hoses.

Building sales

1966

Plans are made to set up a separate sales and distribution network for industrial hoses and connecting elements.

Cable Protection Systems prepared for production

1963

Development of a cable protection conduit completed and the conduit prepared for production.

Market launch of the WELLFLEX® design

1960

Market launch of the first Cable protection system and invention of the WELLFLEX® design.

Purchase of an extrusion machine

1955

Purchase of an extrusion machine for making hoses and profiles.

Resumption of electric fuses production

1948

The year begins with the re-issue of NORRES’ license to manufacture electric fuses.

After the 2nd World War

1946-1947

War damage repaired and commodities to meet daily needs manufactured from existing stocks. Parallel to this, intensive efforts are made to persuade the British occupation authorities to license the production of electric fuses.

During the Second World War

1939-1945

Production during the Second World War is restricted to electric fuses for quarries and for the coal, salt and ore mining industries. The war situation puts a stop to manufacturing activities in March 1945. Production of all electric fuse lighters is banned by the authorities.

First test procedures for detonator wires

1935-1936

Introduction of the first test procedures for detonator wires with insulation made from thermoplastic polymers.

Granting to erect a manufacturing facility

1926

Joseph Norres’ fuse factory in Gelsenkirchen granted an official trading license to erect a manufacturing facility for electric fuses on the Freiligrathstr. 30 site in Schalke (Gelsenkirchen).

Death of Wilhelm Norres

2.11.1926

Death of Wilhelm Norres on November 2, 1918. The firm has already been run by his eldest son, Albert, for some time. Albert’s brother, Joseph Norres, who worked there too for a while, establishes his own fuse manufacturing company – Joseph Norres, Zünderfabrik – between 1923 and 1925.

The foundation of NORRES

1889

Wilhelm Norres, a former miner, is employed as an accountant and mining official at the Consolidation pit in Schalke (Westphalia) following a mine accident. He sets to work on the development of a “mechanical safety fuse for detonations” (in the form of a friction igniter) that is protected by German and international patents.
The first patent application is submitted in 1890. By 1897, the consumption of Norres fuses has climbed to 1.1 million.