100 years Rudolf Hensel GmbH | Paint and Varnish Factory

Manufacturer of fire protection systems made in Germany

Rudolf Hensel GmbH was founded in 1922 as a varnish and paint factory and had its headquarters at Süderstraße 235 in Hamburg until 2001. Initially, special ship colors formed the focus of the product range. This enabled the company to develop a leading market position in the 1950s. In the search for new challenges, Hensel recognized the increasing importance of preventive structural fire protection at this time and now devoted itself intensively to the development of fire protection coatings. As early as 1953, this competence was recognized in Germany with the first patents. National and international product certifications followed. The following milestones in the company’s history characterize the development of the traditional firm.

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1939 – 1943

With the outbreak of the Second World War, production is restricted, but can be largely maintained until 1943. In the summer of 1939, the offices were even modernised. In the July nights of 1943, however, the production facilities and the warehouse on the company premises were destroyed by bombs. Tragically, two employees were also killed while working as night guards. War and fire leave their mark, but also spur Rudolf Hensel to new thoughts. How can the protection of people and material be improved? The infernal chaos gives rise to the idea of developing fire-retardant paints that protect the material like a wall and are henceforth to become the focus of Hensel’s development.

1930 – 1939

With the acquisition of the property at Süderstraße 235 in Hamburg, an ideal production site is finally found. The site is connected to the South Canal and thus has direct access to the EIbe. Now the raw materials that are loaded in the harbour can be brought in directly by water. The steady growth of production also requires a constant enlargement of the factory buildings. In the meantime, more than ten people are employed. An additional salesman is also recruited to sell not only the traditional products but also the now newly added corrosion protection paints as well as all kinds of industrial paints, façade paints, camouflage paints, mixed paints and a wide range of enamel paints.

1925 – 1930

With the move to Schwarzestraße 27 in Hamburg-Hamm at the end of 1924, the set goal is achieved and production of the first HENSEL paints and varnishes begins. The workforce grows to three paint workers and a laboratory technician, and Rudolf Hensel’s extensive sales experience ensures faster growth. For this reason, after only a few years, a possibility to expand the business is sought.

1924

With the agency and commission business for paints and varnishes, the “respectable and decent” businessman quickly achieved “very lively sales” thanks to his entrepreneurial spirit, a lot of effort and passion, which the Dresdner Bank also attested to in a bank report.

1922

So in 1922 Rudolf Hensel founded his own company, whose first business premises were opened shortly afterwards at Hohe Bleichen 24 in the old center of Hamburg. Until 1924, a wholesale business with painting accessories, stains, furniture polishes, paints and varnishes is operated here with the aim of soon starting its own production.

Before 1922

Until he was called up for the Imperial Airship Service, the company’s founder, Rudolf Hensel, completed a commercial apprenticeship at the long-established Ahrens paint and stain factory in Hamburg.

After the end of the war, Rudolf Hensel deepens his knowledge as an industrial paint salesman in the field service of various Hamburg paint and varnish factories. This activity provided him with numerous contacts to painting companies and the Deutsche Reichsbahn, so that founding his own company seemed promising.