Heidenreich & Harbeck was founded in Hamburg in 1868. The company focused on the manufacture of lathes. The company premises were located on Glashüttenstraße (Karolinenviertel) where a new factory building was erected in 1907. When the demand for lathes for the manufacture of guns and ammunition grew during World War I, the company relocated to the Barmbek district on the eastern edge of Jarrestadt in 1917.
During World War II, 60 percent of production was converted to rifle and gun manufacturing, and around 350 forced laborers were assigned to the company whose compensation has been denied to this day. Due to the weapons production, the factory was also connected to the Hamburg freight bypass railway.
In 1950, the parent company was considered a pioneer in lathe construction and employed 1,500 people.
After Martin Harbeck's death, his son sold the company in its entirety to the competing Gildemeister AG
On March 15, 1976, Gildemeister announced its intention to close the production facility in Hamburg. This marked the beginning of industrial action by the workforce, with demonstrations and rallies. By 1977, 800 of the approximately 1,000 employees at that time had already been laid off.
Heidenreich & Harbeck foundry in Moelln was aquired by the Hamburg parent company in 1927. It was not closed down by Gildemeister in the 1970s and bears until this day the old company name.
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