Erik Eschen

“Down to the Underwear – Hunting Scenes in Department Stores” was the headline in Der Spiegel in 1985. Shoplifting had reached unprecedented levels. A technical solution was needed. Vacuumschmelze provided it. This book tells the story of German industry through the example of Vacuumschmelze, a medium-sized company based in Hanau. Over more than 100 years, VAC evolved from an idea and a patent into one of the leading global players in industrial decarbonization. For decades, the company operated as a Siemens subsidiary, later entered a turbulent period under financial investors, retained its identity through repeated changes in ownership, and ultimately emerged stronger. The chronicle features stories about the applications of VAC products, offers in-depth insights into technological developments, and shows how global developments have affected Germany’s medium-sized industrial sector. The story of the German economy told through the example of a medium-sized industrial company Fascinating insights into the applications of German technology Richly illustrated