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| Hans
and Heinz Zimmermann, two young book printers
from Iserlohn, set up Gebrüder Zimmermann
– a company of printers and newspaper
publishers – together with their father,
Heinrich. Their place of business is Balve,
a prospering town located between the mountainous
Sauerland countryside and the industrial area
of the Ruhr valley. On September 30, 1930,
the same day the town of Balve celebrate their
500th jubilee, they issue the first publication
of the Hönne-Zeitung, a much-read regional
newspaper. The company relocates to Widukindplatz,
also in Balve. |
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| The company
is commissioned to print a new organ music
book for the Archbishopric of Paderborn. The
publishing house also launches its library
book printing sector under the name of Hönne-,
Balowa- und Widukindverlag. Zimmermann becomes
the largest producer of library books printed
in the German language. |
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| The Zimmermann
brothers extend their publication range by
including books for young readers. They also
take over Engelbert Publishers who have achieved
an immense market share with youth books based
on TV series. A new book type originates in
Balve: the "TV-based Story". Fury
Volume 1 is best-seller of the year in German
bookshops. |
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| Further
Fury stories and books based on the TV series
dog Lassie also sell by the hundred- thousand.
These are followed by stories about other
TV favourites such as Rin-Tin-Tin, Corky,
Flipper, Bonanza and many others, which are
produced in huge numbers. Parallel to this,
the works of renowned authors are incorporated
into the range of youth literature. With between
60 and 70 new publications a year and more
than 300 book titles, Engelbert and pEb (an
abbreviation meaning low-price Engelbert literature)
are one of the largest German publishers of
books for young readers. |
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Severe competition
makes it necessary to abridge and streamline
the youth book assortment, eventually leading
to a division within the Company.
Heinz Zimmermann's son Heinz-Dirk takes over
the Engelbert Youth Book segment with a partner
and moves to new commercial premises, whereas
Hans Zimmermann Jun. registers Zimmermann
Druck + Verlag GmbH as a successor company.
Thanks to state-of-the-art production equipment
and competent specialist staff, this printing
and publishing business has since become one
of the most productive industrial printing
houses in the region. |
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| Despite
the fact that the newly-founded printing enterprise
no longer issues its own papers, it quickly
establishes itself as a publishing and printing
house whose main focus is on loose-leaf publications
and books. Their customers include numerous
small and major publishers. All-round service
relating to the production and distribution
of newspapers constitutes a further major
element of our work. |
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| Our most important
capital has always been – and still
is – our dedicated, highly-motivated
staff. We are also indebted to former employees
who have since retired. |
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| Die fourth
generation, Julian, Luca and Pia Zimmermann,
are currently struggling to get good marks
at school and would much rather go snowboarding
in winter and surfing in summer … (but
then again, their father would have preferred
to be a rock musician). |
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