Sudhaus GmbH

Sudhaus GmbH is a German mid-sized, family-owned industrial company based in Iserlohn, North Rhine-Westphalia. Founded in 1844 as Aurand & Sudhaus by Eduard Aurand and Heinrich Sudhaus, it is one of the oldest continuously operating manufacturers in the region. Originally producing spurs, stirrups, bridles, and carriage fittings, the company evolved into a leading European manufacturer of fittings and locks. Today, Sudhaus develops and produces locking systems, hardware, and technical assemblies from zinc, sheet metal, and plastic, serving industries such as furniture, luggage, school backpacks, automotive, and sanitary equipment. The company operates under the umbrella brand SUDHAUS, which includes subsidiaries and brands such as GEFO (density measuring instruments) and BOXY (secure storage solutions). Sudhaus is known for its in-house capabilities across development, toolmaking, plastic technology, zinc die-casting, polishing, surface technology, and assembly. It remains headquartered at Teichstraße 5 in Iserlohn and has been manufacturing exclusively there since 2019, after operating a assembly site in Horažďovice, Czech Republic, from 1993 to 2018. The company is privately held and owner-managed.

Sudhaus GmbH was founded in 1844 in Iserlohn by Eduard Aurand and Heinrich Sudhaus as 'Aurand & Sudhaus'. The company initially produced spurs, stirrups, bridles, bits, and fittings for carriages. It grew to become one of the leading manufacturers of fittings in Europe. In 1855, Sudhaus products were awarded a first-class silver medal at the World Exhibition in Paris. By 1866, the company employed 110 workers in production. In the same year, Friedrich Soennecken, later founder of the office supplies manufacturer Soennecken, began his commercial apprenticeship at Sudhaus. At the Melbourne International Exhibition in 1880, Sudhaus harnesses were awarded silver. In 1889, the company name was changed from Aurand & Sudhaus to Heinrich Sudhaus Söhne. In the late 1890s, factory buildings were erected at Gossenweg (today Teichstraße) in Iserlohn according to plans by architect Otto Leppin. Production for carriages and teams remained an important market until World War I. In the early 20th century, Sudhaus experienced a significant production boost through armament orders for cavalry and horse-drawn artillery. After World War I, the automobile displaced the carriage, and lock manufacturing became a production focus. Until the 1950s, Sudhaus was a market leader in accessories for travel goods and leather goods. Due to their historical significance, company papers are archived in the collections of the Deutsches Museum and the NRW Archive. During World War II, forced laborers had to work at Sudhaus; the company was later criticized by members of the Iserlohn Peace Plenum for its handling of compensation claims. In the post-war period, the company established itself as a supplier to suitcase, school backpack, furniture, and waste container manufacturers. Since 1979, articles for the automotive and sanitary industries have expanded the production program. The company collaborates with system suppliers and produces plastic and zinc die-cast parts for vehicles and sanitary facilities. Between 1993 and 2018, an assembly site in Horažďovice, Czech Republic, was used. Since 2019, the company has manufactured exclusively in Iserlohn. In Iserlohn, Heinrich-Sudhaus-Weg is named after the company founder.

• 2019

  Manufacturing consolidated exclusively in Iserlohn.

• 2018

  Assembly site in Horažďovice closed.

• 1993

  Assembly site in Horažďovice, Czech Republic, began operation.

• 1979

  Expanded into automotive and sanitary industry products.

• 1890

  Factory buildings erected at Gossenweg (today Teichstraße) in Iserlohn.

• 1889

  Company name changed to Heinrich Sudhaus Söhne.

• 1880

  Awarded silver at the Melbourne International Exhibition for harnesses.

• 1866

  Employed 110 workers; Friedrich Soennecken began apprenticeship.

• 1855

  Awarded first-class silver medal at the World Exhibition in Paris.

• 1844

  Founded in Iserlohn as Aurand & Sudhaus by Eduard Aurand and Heinrich Sudhaus.

Innovative partner for locking systems, automotive, and assemblies; reliable supplier to industry with in-house development and manufacturing.

• Furniture locks 'One-Timer' & 'Single-User'

• Combination locks 1841, 1842, 1844

• Combination locks 1168, 1153, 1157, 1147, 2022

• Electronic keypad lock 3003

• Key safe 1195

• Socket lock 1574

• KeyLessBox 2586

• Hollow wall tube 2585

• School backpack locks

• Combination lock 1180

• Lever closure 1312

• Luggage locks 1270, 1310, 1411, 1404

• Luggage handles 6973, 6982, 9090

1. 1Sudhaus GmbH official websitesudhaus.de
2. 2Über uns – Sudhaus GmbHsudhaus.de
3. 3Sudhaus (Unternehmen) – Wikipediade.wikipedia.org
4. 4Sudhaus – Wikidatawikidata.org