The Journey to Our Roots
Geschichte seit 1887
The Journey to Our Roots
Even today, the BRAUN BÜFFEL headquarters and leather manufactory are located in Kirn an der Nahe. The city of Kirn can look back on a long history. The local conditions favored the development of various crafts in the city. More and more tanners settled there, and leather production began. With the rise of the brewery, which was relocated to the cellar area in 1863, the city finally earned the title "City of Leather, Stones, and Beer." New businesses were added, which helped to further increase Kirn's economic importance and bring it to prominence in the production of small leather goods.
BRAUN BÜFFEL also decided in 1887 to establish its roots in the traditional leather city.
History of Kirn
With the growth of the businesses, the number of inhabitants of the city also grew from approximately 1500 to 7000. The two world wars interrupted the positive development and forced the city of Kirn to restructure. Since the 1960s, no more leather was tanned in Kirn, and the production of small leather goods was also undergoing a transformation process. Companies increasingly relocated their manufacturing to other countries 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 city of Kirn into a colourful, lively, and lovable city with over 10,000 inhabitants today. Kirn fulfills its old role as a centre for economy, transport, and administration on the middle Nahe today, just as it did 1000 years ago. BRAUN BÜFFEL still manufactures in the Kirn leather goods factory today, proud of its roots. And the course is still set for growth: a second German leather goods factory was opened in Offenbach. Digitisation is a strong focus and is bringing the traditional company from Kirn into the future.
A Journey into BRAUN BÜFFEL's History
What began in 1887 as a saddlery and upholstery business has evolved into a renowned leather accessories company, valued for its exceptional German leather craftsmanship and high functionality. Today, BRAUN BÜFFEL is proud to be a global symbol of handcrafted modern leather goods.
1887: On July 27, 1887, Johann Braun, at the age of 26, founded a craft business as a master saddler and upholsterer in Kirn. Even today, the company is still located there and produces its "Made in Germany" collection.
1902: Johann Braun expanded the workshop to include a retail store. He also acted as a merchant and trader.
The 1920s and 1930s were characterized by economic upswing; the company grew steadily, the production facility was expanded, and the number of employees increased.
1927: In 1927, Alois Braun, Johann Braun's son, begins manufacturing small leather goods.
1933: Alois Braun becomes the sole owner of the company. Under his leadership, the company expanded. He purchases another factory building and converts it into a fine leather goods factory.
In the 1940s, during World War II, the factories are severely damaged and production is temporarily halted. After a period of improvisation, the factories are repaired and simultaneously expanded in 1946.
1945: Hans-Werner Braun, Alois Braun's eldest son, joins the company and completes his apprenticeship at 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 craftsman's examination for fine leather goods with top marks. He focused the product range on small leather goods made from saffian, calfskin, and cowhide. His "Kassabeutel" (cash bag), which many businesspeople used to carry their daily earnings to the bank, proved to be a commercial success and was popular among businesspeople. The company flourished, and the future seemed secure.
1968: Hans-Werner Braun died in a tragic traffic accident at the age of 40 on April 20, 1968.
1970: Karl-Heinz Braun, the younger brother, joins the family business as a businessman, ensuring its succession.
1973: Karl-Heinz Braun takes over the management of the company. For the first time, products are branded. "Jobra" is developed from the initial letters of Johann Braun, later renamed to "Braun Studio."
1974: The BRAUN BÜFFEL brand is born – a combination of the family name BRAUN and BÜFFEL (buffalo), which documents the connection to leather (as water buffalo leather was predominantly processed at the time). For the first time, the Gaucho leather typical of BRAUN BÜFFEL is also used.
1979: The factory in Kirn is expanded. A modern new shipping hall with offices is built.
1983: The company also moves its production to the new building on Industriestraße in Kirn, which is its current headquarters.
1980s: BRAUN BÜFFEL continues to expand. Extensive collections for men and women are created with a variety of models. The production area is also expanded to a total of 2,000 square meters of production, storage, and office space. In addition, the brand's internationalization progresses, both in Europe and Asia. In the Asia-Pacific region, BRAUN BÜFFEL relies on an alliance with its licensing partner Lianbee-Jeco in Singapore, which continues to this day. Today, BRAUN BÜFFEL is present with small leather goods in classic leather goods specialty stores at 1,000 points of sale in German-speaking countries, Benelux, Great Britain, Eastern Europe, and Asia.
1992: Christiane Brunk, daughter of Karl-Heinz Braun, joins the family business as the fourth generation.
2005: Christiane Brunk takes over sole management of the company. With an eye on fashion, Christiane Brunk expands the business with 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. Further shops follow in 2008 in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Prague.
2009: BRAUN BÜFFEL SUISSE GMBH is founded as a wholly-owned subsidiary, managing the distribution of products in Switzerland.
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 at the Elbe Einkaufszentrum and in Munich at 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 expands its production capacities with the Offenbach site. In August 2022, another online shop follows in Switzerland (www.braun-bueffel.ch)