History

Established by Adolf Ahlers in 1919

Ahlers AG dates back to the year 1919, when Adolf Ahlers establishes a cloth wholesaling business in Jever, Friesland, Germany. The firm is registered as a sole proprietorship on July 30, 1920 and moves to Oldenburg i.O. in 1925. In 1932, a production plant is opened and the head office is relocated to Herford-Elverdissen. Four years later, a linen/underwear/lingerie factory is established.

Since 1932, the headquarters of Ahlers AG has been based in Herford-Elverdissen.

In 1948, the company is converted into a limited liability company. In 1950, Kommanditgesellschaft Westfälisches Textilwerk Adolf Ahlers becomes the parent company, with Adolf Ahlers acting as general partner. In 1959, annual sales pass the DM 100 million mark for the first time.

After 1962, the individual product units are reorganised in accordance with modern market economy principles. For each product unit, a limited liability distribution company is established, which assumes responsibility for the respective production plants. 

Jan A. Ahlers takes over the helm in 1968

After the death of Adolf Ahlers in 1968, his eldest son, Jan A. Ahlers, takes over the helm. Under his management, sales pass the DM 200 million mark in 1971. Production is successively relocated to southern Germany and Austria.

In view of growing price pressure from developing countries, Ahlers begins to look for own production possibilities in low-wage countries in 1979. Against this background, production plants are established in Sri Lanka. The German manufacturing activities are successively relocated to these low-wage countries, with production ceasing at several German production plants

Between 1982 and 1986, the cut-make-trim activities are expanded and extensions are built to the production facilities in Austria and Sri Lanka.

"Jupiter-Säule" Anröchter Dolomit, approx. 6.70 metres high, Ulrich Rückriem (born. 1938 in Düsseldorf); installed in front of the Ahlers headquarters in Herford-Elverdissen by Ulrich Rückriem in 1988. Felt suit by Joseph Beuys.

IPO in 1987

1986 sees a corporate reorganisation in preparation for the company’s stock market flotation. In early 1987, Adolf Ahlers GmbH adopts the legal status of a joint stock company (AG). The ensuing Shareholders’ Meeting on April 9, 1987decides to increase the share capital by DM 5 million to DM 30 million. The total proceeds from this capital increase are used to strengthen the company’s equity base. The 100,000 bearer shares issued in this context are entitled to dividend from May 1, 1987. A consortium of banks led by Commerzbank AG underwrites the shares and offers them to a large target group for subscription between May 22 and 26, 1987. The price per DM 50 share is set at DM 300. The offering is quickly oversubscribed several times.

Ahlers goes public: The Ahlers share

The first price in the regulated market of the stock exchanges in Düsseldorf and Frankfurt is quoted at DM 320 on June 3, 1987. In the run-up to the IPO, Ahlers AG places image advertisements in a large number of relevant magazines to present the company to the financial community. This campaign marks the beginning of an open dialogue with the future shareholders and the interested public.

The company has been profitable ever since its foundation in 1919.

New brands added to Group portfolio

Ahlers has been a licensee of Pierre Cardin, Paris, since 1992 and is today one of the largest Pierre Cardin licensees in Europe.

In 1996 Ahlers acquires eterna Beteiligungs-AG, Passau, the German market leader for no-iron shirts. Another two companies, namely Stuttgart-based Gin Tonic Special Mode GmbH and Kassel-based Brandt Sportive Mode GmbH are taken over three years later. In the year 2000 the company acquires the worldwide rights in the OTTO Kern brand.

Herford-Elverdissen head office in 2008.

Having served as Chairman of the Management Board since the 1987 flotation, Jan A. Ahlers takes a seat on the Supervisory Board in mid-2003. He is succeeded by Karl A. Galling, the company’s long-serving Chief Financial Officer.

On July 14, 2004 Ahlers shares are admitted to the Prime Standard of the German stock exchange.

Dr. Stella A. Ahlers takes the helm in 2005

In July 2005 Dr. Stella Ahlers, a granddaughter of company founder Adolf Ahlers, becomes the Chairperson of the Management Board. The company is now managed by the third generation.

An agreement on the sale of Passau-based eterna Mode AG to a financial investor is signed in May 2006. The objective of this move is to strengthen Ahlers AG’s brands and to optimise its brand portfolio. At the same time, Ahlers AG is enabled to act on opportunities to acquire additional international menswear brands.

The new brand policy is reflected in the acquisition of all shares in Munich-based Baldessarini GmbH & Co. KG as well as all rights in the brand save for the fragrance marketing rights. This leading high-quality designer brand offers Ahlers a stepping stone into the international luxury market.