C. Woermann

C. Woermann GmbH & Co. KG is a German trading house founded in Hamburg in 1837 by Carl Woermann. Originally an exporter of linen and pottery to the West Indies and an importer of sugar and coffee, the company became closely associated with trade along the West African coast. In the 19th century it expanded through its own shipping line, the Woermann-Linie, and numerous trading posts, but the shipping business was separated in 1885 and later lost in the upheavals of the First World War. After rebuilding in the 20th century, C. Woermann transformed into a technical trading and service company focused on African markets. Today the company operates as a traditional Hamburg trading house that distributes high-quality technical goods. Its product fields include forestry and agricultural machinery, power generators and welding technology, construction machinery and building materials, tools and workshop equipment, forklifts and warehouse logistics, as well as engine and vehicle parts and tires. Customers in Africa come from manufacturing, agriculture, transport and construction sectors. The group's affiliated companies in Ghana (since 1954), Nigeria (since 1968) and Angola (since 2005) maintain large warehousing capacities, trained personnel and technical equipment, allowing them to position and sell brands locally. The Hamburg headquarters acts as the central contact for suppliers regarding selection, distribution, financing and transport of products to Africa, while the local subsidiaries handle operational business, sales and customer service. C. Woermann is also active in other African countries. The company remains privately owned by the Woermann and Kuppe families and is headquartered in the Afrikahaus in Hamburg.

C. Woermann was founded in 1837 in Hamburg by Carl Woermann (1813–1880). In its early years the company exported linen and pottery to the West Indies and the Caribbean on chartered sailing ships, and imported sugar and coffee. In 1842, a major fire in Hamburg destroyed large parts of the city, including the town hall and the old exchange, but no buildings in Große Reichenstraße were damaged. In 1847 the company acquired its first sailing ship, the Eleonore, and in 1849 its own brig, the Therese Henriette, made its first voyage to Liberia. By 1854 Carl Woermann and his firm had become synonymous with African trade for the general public. In 1862 a branch was established in Gabon, followed by Cameroon in 1868. In 1870 Carl Woermann co-founded Commerzbank and subscribed to its first share. In 1874 Adolph Woermann (1847–1911) became a co-owner. In 1880 the first steamship, the Aline Woermann, was commissioned, and in 1882 the first regular service to West Africa was established. In 1885 the Afrikanische Dampfschifffahrts-Actiengesellschaft, Woermann-Linie was founded, separating the shipping business from the trading company. In 1890 Eduard Woermann (1863–1920) became a partner and the Deutsche Ost-Afrika Linie (DOAL) was founded. Construction of the Afrikahaus began in 1899, replacing the firm's existing residential and office building and the neighboring old Hamburg townhouse, extending from Große Reichenstraße to the fleet at Gröningerstraße. In 1912 Kurt Woermann (1888–1951) became a partner. In 1914, as a result of the First World War, the company lost all its investments and most of its ships. In 1917 the remaining shares in the Woermann-Linie and the participation in the Deutsch-Ost-Afrika-Linie were sold. After the war, the company resumed trading, and the business for southern and eastern Africa was separated as Woermann & Brock. Numerous branches were re-established in West Africa. During the Second World War, C. Woermann again lost a large part of its assets. In 1951 Heinrich Woermann joined the company and advocated exclusive trade with Ghana and Nigeria, and from 2005 with Angola. By the mid-1960s the transformation into a technical service provider was complete. In 1964 Volker Kuppe became the first external partner; he transferred his shares to Axel Kuppe in 2003. In the late 1970s Detlev Woermann became a co-owner. In 2011 Rasmus Woermann became a partner alongside Kuppe. The owners take a critical view of their own family and company history during the colonial era.

• 2011

  Rasmus Woermann becomes partner alongside Kuppe.

• 2005

  C. Woermann (Angola), Lda. established in Luanda.

• 2003

  Volker Kuppe transfers his shares to Axel Kuppe.

• 1968

  C. Woermann (Nigeria) Ltd. established in Lagos.

• 1964

  Volker Kuppe becomes the first external partner.

• 1954

  C. Woermann (Ghana) Ltd. established in Accra and Kumasi.

• 1951

  Heinrich Woermann joins the company; focus on Ghana and Nigeria.

• 1917

  Sale of remaining shares in Woermann-Linie and DOAL.

• 1914

  Loss of all investments and most ships due to World War I.

• 1912

  Kurt Woermann becomes partner.

• 1899

  Construction of the Afrikahaus begins in Hamburg.

• 1890

  Eduard Woermann becomes partner; founding of Deutsche Ost-Afrika Linie (DOAL).

• 1885

  Founding of the Woermann-Linie; separation of shipping and trading.

• 1882

  First regular service to West Africa established.

• 1880

  First steamship, Aline Woermann, commissioned.

• 1874

  Adolph Woermann becomes co-owner.

• 1870

  Co-founding of Commerzbank; Carl Woermann subscribes to the first share.

• 1868

  Establishment of a branch in Cameroon.

• 1862

  Establishment of a branch in Gabon.

• 1849

  First voyage of the company's own brig Therese Henriette to Liberia.

• 1847

  Acquisition of the first sailing ship, Eleonore.

• 1837

  Founding of the company by Carl Woermann in Hamburg.

Traditional Hamburg trading house with decades of experience in Africa, distributing high-quality technical goods and providing local market access and service.

• Forestry and agricultural machinery

• Power generators and welding technology

• Construction machinery and building materials

• Tools and workshop equipment

• Forklifts and warehouse logistics

• Engine and vehicle parts and tires

1. 1C.Woermann: Qualitätsprodukte und technische Expertise - C. Woermann GmbH & Co. KGc-woermann.de
2. 2Geschichte - C. Woermann GmbH & Co. KGc-woermann.de
3. 3C. Woermann - Wikipediade.wikipedia.org
4. 4C. Woermann - Wikidatawikidata.org