June 8, 2024 | 100 years of Severin Ahlmann
Family, management and staff celebrate the 100th birthday of its founder in June 2024.
More insight into the history of ACO at www.history.aco
At the end of 1946, Käte Ahlmann decided to spin off the concrete department of her Ahlmann-Carlshütte iron foundry on the neighboring site. The dramatic reasons for this decision, namely the impending expropriation of the family after the war and at the same time the threat of the foundry being dismantled by the British occupying forces, are vividly described on the ACO history website www.history.aco.
Käte Ahlmann's youngest son, Severin Ahlmann, 22 years old at the time, is entrusted by her with the task of founding the company under the name “Severin Ahlmann-Betonindustrie (SAB)”. He soon found the managing director Paul Meyer for the company, which was initially small but quickly grew as the region was rebuilt after the war.
From 1970, under Managing Director Ernst Vollstedt, a breakthrough was achieved with polymer concrete and ACO Drain, which laid the foundation for the subsequent rapid expansion. From 1981, Severin Ahlmann gradually entrusted his succession to his nephew Hans-Julius Ahlmann. He continued the expansion of the ACO Group from the very promising beginnings with a turnover of around DM 50 million at the time and with an ever-growing team of “entrepreneurs within the company”. Today, Iver Ahlmann and his father Hans-Julius Ahlmann are at the helm of the company in the 3rd generation.
- 1924
- 1942
- 1945
1945: Joins the parental iron foundry “Ahlmann-Carlshütte”
Almost immediately after his return, Severin Ahlmann joins the family business. Ahlmann Carlshütte mainly manufactures sanitary products made of cast iron and steel. Since the mid-1930s, cast iron substitutes, in particular concrete, have also been added. Severin Ahlmann takes over this department in 1945.
- 1946
1946: Founding of ACO
On December 10, 1946, Severin Ahlmann registers his own company with the Chamber of Industry and Commerce in Kiel. The “Severin Ahlmann-Betonindustrie (SAB)” initially specializes in concrete products for the construction sector. In addition to cement roof tiles, building materials and products for civil engineering are manufactured. Ahlmann soon adds Carlshütte products made of artificial stone (marble grain) to its range and manufactures sanitary products. Severin Ahlmann's mother Käte Ahlmann writes in a letter to a friend on December 17, 1946: “You can see the new company on this sheet. May it be happy!”
With his wife Maria at his desk in 1948 - 1950er
- 1952
1952: Diversification | Ahlmann Schwenkschaufler
In addition to Carlshütte, Severin Ahlmann is driving forward the development of a new type of product with which the family is turning its attention to the mechanical engineering sector: The Ahlmann swivel shovel. It becomes one of Severin Ahlmann's favorite projects. Introduced to the public in 1952, the construction machine was a resounding success due to its versatility and reliability. The company still exists today. It now belongs to the French MECALAC Groupe.
- 1956
- 1956-74
- Concrete windows
From the mid-1950s, the production of concrete windows under license begins in Rendsburg. This is followed by the establishment of a corresponding in-house development. In 1959/60, Severin Ahlmann takes over the licensor Bördlein in Reith in the district of Bad Kissingen. He then develops Reith into a veritable production site.
- 1973
- 1973
1973
The 25th ACO anniversary is still regarded as a special milestone by the company's employees. ACO in Andernach, founded in 1948, was the Group's leading plant at the time. When the 25th anniversary was celebrated there in 1973, Severin Ahlmann also took the opportunity to celebrate the anniversary at the Rendsburg and Reith sites, albeit 1.5 years “late” for these sites founded in 1946.
Here Severin Ahlmann in front of the former logo during the celebrations in the Baltic seaside resort of Damp, which lasted several days.
- 1970-1980
1970-1980: Polymer concrete products and ACO Drain
At the end of the 1960s, Severin Ahlmann also produced prefabricated garages and, above all, developed drainage systems made of the new material polymer concrete. This brings the final breakthrough in the 1970s. National expansion is followed by international involvement. Severin Ahlmann, who traveled a lot both privately and professionally, was always on the lookout for worthwhile investments on his travels around the world. Especially in the 1970s.
It was during this time that he founded the ACO plants in Switzerland, France and the USA.
ACO Andernach was sold in 1974 and the entrepreneurial focus shifted to the Rendsburg and Reith sites as well as the production of polymer concrete products in his new foreign plants.
Severin Ahlmann, second from left - 1981
- 2003
- 2004
2004
On his 80th birthday, Severin Ahlmann thanks his well-wishers with these impressive words:
"I lean back in my wing chair, exhausted and happy, deeply moved by the form and strength of the countless congratulations: For many hours of person-to-person dialog, exuberant pride and confident emotion at ACO with every group picture. I feel unable to express my thanks for our joint work and efforts in telephone conversations.
ACO is busy finding gaps in the market. I remain amazed that luck is always ACO's companion; may it stay that way. ACO - almost 60 years old - experienced and youthful worldwide, will continue to have a lot to offer in the future and we will respond.
I am convinced of this and wish you all the best today and tomorrow.
Yours, Severin Ahlmann"
- 2006
