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International journalists on the trail of “Handmade in Germany“
From Munich over Nuremberg, Franconia, the Palatinate and Saxony all the way to Berlin: For the fourth time, the “Initiative Deutsche Manufakturen – Handmade-in-Germany“ administered a press tour for international journalists on behalf of the German Federal Foreign Office. The 16 press representatives from eleven different countries – among them Brazil, Yemen, Canada and China – came from far away to see selected German manufactories with their handmade products as well as their uniquely cultivated traditions.
As the start of the trip, the journalists visited the manufactory Roeckl in Munich that produces fine leather gloves since 1839 and is being operated by Annette Roeckl in sixth generation. The sophisticated manufacturing with 24 leather parts and 2000 pin holdings showed how much love for the detail is put into a pair of Roeckl gloves. In the following, the trip went on to the artist brush manufactory “da vinci” in Nuremberg. From there, they went to Faber-Castell in the neighboring town of Stein. There, the journalists were informed about the collection of Graf von Faber-Castell and the “Pen of the Year“, an exclusive fountain pen, whose design and manufacturing is limited to just one year. “Here, a pen is not simply a pen – it is rather expressing the melting of tradition and modernity - inspiration and perfected manual work”, said a Brazilian participant. During lunch at the castle of the family, Faber-Castell Anton-Wolfgang Graf von Faber-Castell responded to questions asked by the journalists.
At Glashütte Lamberts in Waldsassen, the journalists were able to marvel at the manufacturing of hand-blown glass – and they were excited by the traditional glass making method. “I’ve already seen the work of Lamberts once in the train station of Kaohsiung in Taiwan and was deeply impressed“, said Yinru Tu from Taipeh. “But not until here in the glass factory have I understood that the processing of glass is a truly magical act.“ Another highlight for the press representatives was the cozy get-together in the glass factory at the eve of the exhibition. After dinner, the journalists had the opportunity to first observe how the glass is made and then try it out themselves.
The watchmaker town of Glashütte in the Erzgebirge mountains was the next programme item on the “tour of the manufactories“: At Grossmann Uhren, the press representatives had the opportunity to convince themselves of the precision and handcrafting ability of German watchmakers. “The effort invested in the product as well as the quality achieved are really impressive“, affirms David Killick from New Zealand, who travelled 30 hours to participate in the tour. After spending a night in historical Dresden, the tour continued in Seifhennersdorf at the Czech border, the place where Bechstein Pianofortefabrik produces its globally renowned pianos. The guided tour through the manufactory illustrated the dozen work steps required for completion of a Bechstein master piece: from the first adjustment of the wood until the final optimization of the tone of the piano.
In a final step, the travelling group went on a discovery tour in the capital. There, the press representatives got to know further manufactories, which illustrated the passion and the high quality demands that stand behind their products. Dieter Burmester, owner of Burmester Audiosysteme, showed the journalists what “Art for the ear“ means and what level of sound quality his hand-assembled systems achieve. Burmester Audiosysteme creates special sound experiences for certain German luxury car makers. Audio samples of the products in a Porsche and in a Mercedes were a particular highlight for the international tour group. At the Königliche Porzellan Manufaktur Berlin (KPM Berlin), the editors then experienced a piece of German history: In the KPM-exhibition, they learned everything about the historical heritage of the manufactory, which was once purchased by Frederick the Great and belongs to Berlin’s most traditional enterprises ever since.
In a final step, the travelling group went on a discovery tour in the capital. There, the press representatives got to know further manufactories, which illustrated the passion and the high quality demands that stand behind their products. Dieter Burmester, owner of Burmester Audiosysteme, showed the journalists what “Art for the ear“ means and what level of sound quality his hand-assembled systems achieve. Burmester Audiosysteme creates special sound experiences for certain German luxury car makers. Audio samples of the products in a Porsche and in a Mercedes were a particular highlight for the international tour group. At the Königliche Porzellan Manufaktur Berlin (KPM Berlin), the editors then experienced a piece of German history: In the KPM-exhibition, they learned everything about the historical heritage of the manufactory, which was once purchased by Frederick the Great and belongs to Berlin’s most traditional enterprises ever since.
Fotos: ©Copyright David Killick 2014
