RHEWA - over 100 years of industrial weighing experience

In 1904 August Freudewald establishes RHEWA (RHEinische WAagenfabrik) as an offshoot of Barmer Waagenfabrik. The new company focuses on the series production of wooden decimal balances. To make use of the punching scrap, the product range is expanded to include Béranger balances. Company boss Walter Freudewald later recalls: "... instead of the open designs common back then the RHEWA balances came with an attractive sheet-metal casing."

On foundation of RHEWA-WAAGENFABRIK Ernst and Emil Freudewald continue to run Barmer Waagenfabrik as an independent entity. In 1912 they sell the company to the wholesale ironmonger Paul Herzog. Under the name Herzog-Waagenfabrik, formerly Barmer Waagenfabrik C.A. Freudewald, it exists until 1962.

In 1913 A. Freudewald brings his son August into the company, but he is killed in World War I. Freudewald senior runs the business alone again until his younger son Walter joins the firm (1921). A second factory (Werk II) is purchased in 1914. This small enterprise, independent to that point, produces sliding weight, coal and cattle scales.

In 1934 the factory is expanded by the addition of a new warehouse and dispatch building.

With the wounds of World War II beginning to heal, Walter Freudewald's son, Karl-August, joins the company in 1955 to commence his RHEWA career in the purchasing department. In 1957 he takes charge of the business.

In 1978 RHEWA unveils its first electronic indicator. Then, in 1985, RHEWA responds to the increasing number of electronic scales on the market by launching its first verifiable indicator.

In 2001 Karl-August Freudewald hands over control of the company to his sons Peter and Leopold. The latter departs in 2004 to work in the forestry sector.

Mechanical scales, the company's original business, have now made way for the development and production of state-of-the-art electronic weighing instruments. Consistent market- and future-driven innovations, hi-tech production systems and years of experience are the guarantee of service and quality from RHEWA.