Württembergische Leinenindustrie

Württembergische Leinenindustrie AG (WLI) was a German textile company headquartered in Blaubeuren, in the state of Württemberg. It traced its origins to linen production and bleaching in the Blaubeuren area, documented as far back as 1560, and to several predecessor firms, including the Blaubeurer Bleichsozietät founded in 1726, which received an unrestricted linen-trading privilege from Duke Eberhard Ludwig in 1729. In 1864 Carl and Eduard Lang established the Mechanische Leinenweberei in Blaubeuren for the manufacture of bed linen, table linen and towels. In 1882 the merger of three businesses — the Blaubeurer Bleiche, the Mechanische Leinenweberei Blaubeuren and the Württembergische Leinenweberei Hoffmann & Co in Laichingen — created Württembergische Leinenindustrie AG. The company produced linen textiles, including bedding, table linen and towels, and was part of the Württemberg linen industry. After 1975 it ceased textile production and limited its business to tax-efficient asset management of real estate and financial investments for the Merckle family. Income came from renting and leasing commercial properties, residential rental properties, a fishing water and agricultural land, as well as from selling electricity from a small hydroelectric power plant of the former linen factory. With effect from 17 October 2012, the company was merged into VEM Vermögensverwaltung Aktiengesellschaft, and minority shareholders were excluded against cash compensation. The firm therefore ceased to exist and was deleted from the commercial register. Its website is no longer active, and the archived version dates from 22 September 2004. Archival records of the company are held in the Wirtschaftsarchiv Baden-Württemberg and other state archives.

Linen production in the Blaubeuren area is documented as far back as 1560. The company traces its roots to several predecessor businesses. The Blaubeurer Bleichsozietät, founded in 1726, received an unrestricted linen-trading privilege from Duke Eberhard Ludwig as early as 1729. The brothers Johannes and Andreas Lang and other partners operated the Blaubeuren bleach as a linen publisher of the bleaching society. In 1748 Andreas Lang became sole owner, and in 1760 his son Johannes Lang took over. His son Andreas Friedrich Lang renamed the business A. F. Lang. In 1864 Carl and Eduard Lang established the Mechanische Leinenweberei in Blaubeuren for the production of bed linen, table linen and towels. In 1882 the merger of three companies — Blaubeurer Bleiche, Mechanische Leinenweberei Blaubeuren and Württembergische Leinenweberei Hoffmann & Co in Laichingen (the latter founded in the early 1850s) — created Württembergische Leinenindustrie AG. In 1975 textile production ended. Since then, income has been generated from renting and leasing commercial properties, residential rental properties, a fishing water and agricultural land, as well as from selling electricity from a small hydroelectric power plant of the former linen factory. With effect from 17 October 2012, the company was merged into VEM Vermögensverwaltung Aktiengesellschaft, and minority shareholders were excluded against cash compensation. The firm therefore no longer exists and was deleted from the commercial register.

• 2012

  Merged into VEM Vermögensverwaltung AG; minority shareholders excluded; deleted from commercial register.

• 1975

  Textile production ends; company focuses on asset management.

• 1882

  Merger of three companies creates Württembergische Leinenindustrie AG.

• 1864

  Carl and Eduard Lang establish Mechanische Leinenweberei in Blaubeuren.

• 1760

  Johannes Lang takes over.

• 1748

  Andreas Lang becomes sole owner.

• 1729

  Duke Eberhard Ludwig grants unrestricted linen-trading privilege.

• 1726

  Blaubeurer Bleichsozietät founded.

• 1560

  Linen production in the Blaubeuren area is documented.

Historic Württemberg linen manufacturer; later a family asset-management company.

• Bed linen

• Table linen

• Towels

1. 1Württembergische Leinenindustriede.wikipedia.org
2. 2Württembergische Leinenindustriewikidata.org
3. 3Official website (archived)wuerttembergische-leinenindustrie.de