The Journey to Our Roots
Geschichte seit 1887
The Journey to Our Roots
The BRAUN BÜFFEL company headquarters and leather factory are still in Kirn on the Nahe today. The town of Kirn can look back on a long history. The conditions favored the development of various crafts in the town. Tanners also settled there in increasing numbers and leather production began. With the rise of the brewery, which was relocated to the winery area in 1863, the town finally earned the title of "town of leather, stones and beer". New companies were added, which helped to increase Kirn's economic importance again and to bring it to prominence in the area of small leather goods production.
In 1887, BRAUN BÜFFEL also decided to anchor its roots in the traditional leather town.
city history of Kirn
As the companies grew, the number of residents in the town also grew from around 1,500 to 7,000. The two world wars interrupted the positive development and forced the town of Kirn to restructure. Since the 1960s, no leather has been tanned in Kirn and the manufacture of small leather goods was also undergoing a process of change. Companies increasingly relocated their factories abroad or closed their doors completely. But BRAUN BÜFFEL held on to its roots and was able to continue to grow steadily.
Tradition meets innovation
Investments in the region transformed the formerly grey industrial town of Kirn into a colourful, livable and lovable town with over 10,000 inhabitants today. Kirn fulfils its old role as the centre of business, transport and administration on the middle Nahe just as it did 1000 years ago. Even today, BRAUN BÜFFEL still manufactures leather goods in the Kirn leather goods factory, proud of its roots. And the course is still for growth: a second German leather goods factory has been opened in Offenbach. Digitalisation is a major focus and is bringing the traditional company from Kirn into the future.
A journey into the history of BRAUN BÜFFEL
What began in 1887 as a saddlery and upholstery business has developed into a renowned leather accessories company that is valued for its exceptional German leather processing and high functionality. Today, BRAUN BÜFFEL is proud to be a global symbol of handcrafted modern leather goods.
1887: On July 27, 1887, at the age of 26, Johann Braun founded a craft business as a master saddler and upholsterer in Kirn. The company is still based there today and produces its "Made in Germany" collection.
1902: Johann Braun expanded the workshop to include a shop. He also acted as a merchant and trader.
The 1920s and 1930s were characterized by economic growth, the company grew increasingly, the production facility was expanded and the number of employees increased.
1927: Alois Braun, the son of Johann Braun, begins producing small leather goods in 1927.
1933: Alois Braun becomes the sole owner of the company. Under his leadership, the company expanded. He bought another factory building and converted it into a fine leather goods factory.
In the 1940s , during the Second World War, the factories were badly damaged and production was temporarily halted. After a period of improvisation, the factories were repaired and expanded in 1946.
1945: Hans-Werner Braun, Alois Braun's eldest son, joins the company and completes his apprenticeship in his father's business.
1946: The company founder Johann Braun dies on December 9, 1946 in Kirn.
1952: After successfully completing the leather class at the Werkkunstschule, Hans-Werner Braun took over the technical management of the company in 1952. In 1954 he passed the master bagmaker examination with top marks. He focused his product on small leather goods made from morocco, calf leather and cowhide. His "cash bag", which many businessmen use to carry their daily takings to the bank, proved to be a commercial success and was popular with businessmen. The company is flourishing and its future seems secure.
1968: Hans-Werner Braun died in a tragic traffic accident on April 20, 1968 at the age of 40.
1970: The younger brother Karl-Heinz Braun joins the family business as a businessman, thus securing the succession.
1973: Karl-Heinz Braun takes over the management of the company. The products are branded for the first time. The initials Johann Braun become "Jobra", later the name is changed to "Braun Studio".
1974: The BRAUN BÜFFEL brand is born - a combination of the family name BRAUN and the BÜFFEL, which documents the connection to leather (because at that time mainly water buffalo leather was processed). Gaucho leather, typical for BRAUN BÜFFEL, is also used for the first time.
1979: The factory in Kirn is expanded. A modern new shipping hall with offices is built.
1983: The company also relocates production to the new building on Industriestraße in Kirn, the current company headquarters.
1980s: BRAUN BÜFFEL continues to expand. Extensive series for men and women are created with a variety of models. The production area is also expanded with a total of 2,000 square meters of production, storage and office space. In addition, the internationalization of the brand progresses, both in Europe and in Asia. In the Asia-Pacific region, BRAUN BÜFFEL relies on an alliance with the license partner Lianbee-Jeco in Singapore, which continues to this day. Today, BRAUN BÜFFEL is present with small leather goods in the classic leather goods trade with 1,000 sales points in German-speaking countries, Benelux, Great Britain, Eastern Europe and Asia.
1992: Christiane Brunk, daughter of Karl-Heinz Braun, joins the family business in the fourth generation.
2005: Christiane Brunk takes over sole management of the company. With a view to fashion, Christiane Brunk expands the business to include new product lines. Her goal was to transform the brand into a traditional yet modern lifestyle brand.
2006: The first shop in Europe opens in Vienna. Others follow in 2008 in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Prague.
2009: BRAUN BÜFFEL SUISSE GMBH is founded as a 100% subsidiary, which takes care of the Swiss distribution of the products.
2012: BRAUN BÜFFEL celebrates 125 years of leather craftsmanship and expands the shopping experience with an online shop.
2013: BRAUN BÜFFEL opens its first two stores in Germany, in Hamburg in the Elbe shopping center and in Munich in the Hofstatt.
2020: BRAUN BÜFFEL launches a new online shop ( www.braun-bueffel.com ) and increasingly focuses its approach on D2C (direct-to-consumer).
2022: In January 2022, BRAUN BÜFFEL will expand its production capacities to include the Offenbach site. Another online shop will follow in Switzerland in August 2022 ( www.braun-bueffel.ch )
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