Sächsische Maschinenfabrik
In 1837 August Götze and Richard Hartmann founded the firm of Götze & Hartmann in Chemnitz. This partnership produced a very wide range of machines from its earliest days. Hartmann had acquired experience in numerous businesses before this venture began. He quickly grasped the significance of many technical innovations available at that time. By 1839 the business developed the technical concept of a carded yarn speed frame. This innovation became a marketable product sold successfully to customers. The most important business for some time involved repair work. They designed individual technical solutions equivalent to modern special purpose machines. In 1842 about 200 employees were engaged in the business operations. The company underwent numerous expansions and relocations within the Chemnitz area during the following years.
From 1848 steam locomotives were built by the firm now dominated by Hartmann. This branch of the business did not take off until a decade later initially. The Royal Saxon State Railways had to be convinced of their quality through small batches. From 1855 the Sächsische Maschinenfabrik also produced turbines and mill equipment alongside engines. By 1857 the workforce had grown to about 1,500 employees total. Steam locomotive production reached a very high level in the mid-1860s. A new production hall was built in 1868 where up to 36 locomotives could be simultaneously mounted. No less than 4,699 locomotives were built between 1848 and 1929. The majority were delivered to the Royal Saxon State Railways. Customers for her locomotives were found worldwide across many continents. Over many decades these machines set the standard for German engineering tradition.
In 1870 the business became the Sächsische Maschinenfabrik AG officially. Richard Hartmann took over the chairmanship of the governing board that year. He held this post until his death in 1878. The sons of Richard Hartmann were given important roles within the business structure. In 1878 the 1000th locomotive left the production line of the factory. Numerous business expansions followed during this period to meet growing global demand. IN 1896 the construction of a new headquarters in Chemnitz was begun. That same year a subsidiary was founded in Luhansk by Gustav Hartmann. This entity exists today as the Lokomotivfabrik Luhansk. In 1898 the business was renamed to the Sächsische Maschinenfabik vormals Richard Hartmann Aktiengesellschaft. At the beginning of the 20th century the business built up a strong armaments branch. They produced guns artillery equipment and munitions among other things. Various other companies were integrated into the business during this era.
In the 1920s the business continued to acquire numerous companies including steelworks. The King Friedrich-August Steelworks in Freital-Potschappel became part of their portfolio finally. The textile machine firm of Walter Löbel AG in Dresden was also acquired. But the effects of changing economic situations left the business increasingly in difficulties. Even the founding of the Deutsche Reichsbahn in 1920 led to big reductions. Wide distribution of locomotive construction quotas to different manufacturers hurt sales. Between 1920 and 1924 only 64 locomotives were built for the DRG. Abroad political aftermath of the First World War clearly took effect on orders. In 1926 the machine tool business was wound up completely. Several smaller firms took over parts of the production operations. In 1928/29 the last major order was carried out for the DRG. Only 13 engines of the newly developed standard locomotives were delivered. After these gauge engines only six more locomotives were produced at Chemnitz. The worldwide economic crisis made the already struggling firm a victim quickly.
In 1928 the King Friedrich-August Works in Potschappel was sold off again. Steam roller and locomotive construction ceased in 1929 entirely. The Sächsische Maschinenfabik vorm. Richard Hartmann AG was liquidated in 1930 officially. The remaining economical core of the textile machinery division was incorporated into a new entity. This company concentrated exclusively on spinning machines and weaver's looms from then on. In 1933 it was amalgamated with several other companies into Textil-Maschinen-Compagnie Chemnitz. The remaining area of business became purely spinning machines after that merger. During the Second World War bulk of factory buildings sites and equipment was destroyed. Most remaining sites had been given to the Soviet Union as war reparations. Only about a tenth of the facility remained for starting up again as VEB Spinnereimaschinenbau in 1946. Until reunification of Germany the firm led manufacturing of textile machines for Eastern Bloc nations. In 1990 this firm became a Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung limited liability company. It was taken over by the trustee company at that time.
No less than 125 years after delivery of first engine for narrow gauge railways in 1881. The Saxon Narrow Gauge Society has ordered construction of a copy of the Saxon Class I K. Work No. 164 built in 1861 sits today at Dresden Transport Museum. Work No. 1112 delivered in 1881 resides at Asturias Railway Museum. Work No. 1759 from 1891 operates on Ambarawa Railway Museum tracks. Work No. 2102 produced in 1895 runs on Urskog, Hølandbanen heritage railway. Work No. 3377 built in 1910 stands at Chemnitz Industrial Museum. Work No. 3387 constructed in 1910 is displayed at Saxon Railway Museum. Work No. 4523 made in 1922 rests at Dresden Transport Museum. Work No. 4678 created in 1928 operates on Sächsisch-Oberlausitzer Eisenbahngesellschaft lines. These preserved examples span over 150 years of engineering history across Europe and Asia.
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Common questions
When was the Sächsische Maschinenfabrik founded and by whom?
The firm of Götze & Hartmann was founded in 1837 by August Götze and Richard Hartmann. This partnership produced a wide range of machines from its earliest days.
How many steam locomotives did the Sächsische Maschinenfabrik build between 1848 and 1929?
No less than 4,699 locomotives were built between 1848 and 1929. The majority of these engines were delivered to the Royal Saxon State Railways.
What year did the business officially become the Sächsische Maschinenfabrik AG?
In 1870 the business became the Sächsische Maschinenfabrik AG officially. Richard Hartmann took over the chairmanship of the governing board that same year.
Why did the Sächsische Maschinenfabrik cease steam locomotive construction in 1929?
Steam roller and locomotive construction ceased in 1929 entirely due to the worldwide economic crisis. The company faced difficulties from changing economic situations and political aftermath of the First World War.
When was the Sächsische Maschinenfabrik vormals Richard Hartmann Aktiengesellschaft liquidated?
The Sächsische Maschinenfabik vorm. Richard Hartmann AG was liquidated in 1930 officially. The remaining economical core of the textile machinery division was incorporated into a new entity.