Krefeld, 1883, the young metal worker Gerhard Siempelkamp founds a business. His idea: he supplies platens, to the Krefeld textile industry, which can be heated directly through channels drilled into them. Over the next few years, with diligence, ambition and technical know-how, he establishes a machine factory with a foundry that manufactures hydraulic presses for the textile, wood-based, plastics and rubber industries.
Around 1900, Siempelkamp presses for plywood are being delivered within Europe. After the First World War and the death of the company founder, his sons Ewald and Eugen take over their father’s company, expanding the business until, in the 1930s, they are the market leaders in the area of presses and press lines for plywood and fiberboard production.