Kobold and direct sales Vorwerk (company)



early vacuum cleaner vorwerk kobold, 1950.


as radio grew in popularity in 1920s, gramophone sales dropped precipitously. dire situation gave rise birth of “vorwerk kobold” in 1929: chief engineer engelbert gorissen developed out of gramophone motor high-performance electric upright vacuum cleaner. on 25 may 1930, patent granted kobold “model 30”. @ first, sales of @ time unknown appliance in germany poor, despite relatively modest price of 20 reichsmarks. when direct sales launched in 1930 – brainchild of werner mittelsten scheid (1904-1953), son of company founder – did product meet success. 1935, 100,000 “kobolds” had been sold, 1937 half million , 1953 1 million. before second world war, in 1938, first foreign sales organization established: vorwerk folletto in italy.


during world war ii, main plant in wuppertal-barmen severely damaged in may 1943 bombing, after august mittelsten scheid’s sons, werner , erich mittelsten scheid, jointly took on management of firm. sales organization, had held company above water during war years selling various products, discontinued operations year.


after war over, production , sales rebuilt, first in germany, , in europe , overseas. 1955, 2,000 vorwerk sales representatives once again underway. sole managing partner – following death of brother in 1953 – erich mittelsten scheid.







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