Gabriel 150 years - Flipbook - Page 32
On track again
±∫µ∂-±∫∂∫
After the war, Kjærs Mølle turned its back on
in the organisation and in the manufacturing
wool replacements and began once again to
process but quickly put Kjærs Mølle back on
use genuine wool. Odense Kamgarnsspinderi
track with just a few investments, thus ena-
purchased a controlling interest in Kjærs
bling the company to satisfy growing demands
Mølle in ±∫µπ and invested considerable
for modern clothing fabric.
sums in new, necessary machinery. Despite its
Kjærs Mølle’s organisation was hierarchi-
apparently strong position, Kjærs Mølle was
cal. While this was in keeping with the times,
nonetheless threatened by bankruptcy in
it did not promote confidence and coopera-
±∫∂±-∂≤ due to unforeseen consequences of
tion. At that time, investments in the environ-
the Korean War. The company was restruc-
ment and the working environment were not
tured and Michael Zacho hired as managing
considered necessary aspects of operating a
director. He discovered significant problems
successful enterprise.
Readjustment to peace
±∫µ∏ and ±∫µπ. In ±∫µ∫, a new oil-burning boiler
was installed, and the use of the air-polluting
Even though the war was over, there continued
lignite was discontinued. A water mill supplied
to be shortages. Until the early ±∫∂∞s, the textile
the energy for operating the joinery workshop,
industries had to requisition raw materials,
but this was stopped around ±∫∂∞, at which time
semi-manufactured goods, machinery and spare
the last steam engine also ceased operation.
parts, and these were then distributed by a committee comprised of the textile manufacturer’s
Odense Kamgarnsspinderi buys a
controlling interest
organisation, Textilfabrikantforeningen, and the
Supply Office [Direktoratet for Vareforsyning].
The use of poor quality wool and wool re-
Until ±∫µ∏, four shareholders owned a majority
placement products continued until it once more
of the shares in Kjærs Mølle. One of them was
became possible to import wool. Australian wool
Harald Bech, who was managing director from
came to Aalborg by lorry or ship via Copenhagen.
±∫µ∂ to ±∫µ∏. As all of the four shareholders
As it had during the war, Kjærs Mølle man-
were approaching retirement age and wanted
aged reasonably well in spite of a shortage of
to turn the business over to the younger gen-
supplies, helped, among other things, by the
eration, they decided to sell their shares in
fact that the domestic market was still protected
±∫µ∏. The names of the buyers were Engel-
by import restrictions. The company turned a
brecht and Oppen, the latter being Engel-
profit, shareholders were paid a dividend of ∂ to
brecht’s son-in-law. The company was not long
∑%, and new equipment was purchased in both
in the hands of these men, however, as shortly
1945-1959
33
