DORMA turns 100

From two-man business to world market leader

Ennepetal, Germany. In the summer of 2008, door system manufacturer DORMA will be celebrating its centenary, giving it perfect opportunity to review its impressive success story. On July 1, 1908, Rudolf Mankel and his brother-in-law Wilhelm Dörken founded the company Dörken & Mankel KG in a small forge shop in the little town of Ennepetal in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia. The two young entrepreneurs had picked up on an idea from far-away America. There, double doors which opened in both directions – like those seen in classic western saloons – had long enjoyed major market success. Mankel and Dörken saw their chance and decided to introduce double-action door hinges to Germany. Having begun production with just a handful of employees, they were quickly flooded with orders from all directions. Soon, milled screws were also introduced in order to widen the company’s manufacturing portfolio. As precision fixings, these were not only ideal for fixing the door hinges to the frame and leaf, they were also in high demand for many other areas of industry.

Today, DORMA Group with its five divisions is the leading international supplier of products and systems circling the door. DORMA is world market leader in door closers, glass fittings and accessories and movable wall systems. more…

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	Beautifully designed revolving doors from DORMA – the world number 2 in door automation – provide the perfect architectural complement. download view picture
	DORMA HQ, Ennepetal. download view picture