The Founding Years
1933 – 1945
The period after the First World War was marked by inflation and unemployment throughout Germany. Carl Naumann from Battenberg was one of about 8 million unemployed during this time. He tried to keep his head above water with a small photo business. In 1933, he had the idea of a so-called automatic aerial lightning protector. This made the annoying disconnection of the antenna connection on radio receivers superfluous. The decisive factor for his invention was the sentence from the radio every evening: "and now don't forget to ground your antenna." Carl Naumann developed this automatic lightning protector and founded his company CENA-Werkstätten in Battenberg. He had the individual parts manufactured externally, but Carl and Marie Naumann initially assembled and sold them themselves in Battenberg's Oberstadt. Since the Biltz protection machines sold well, they were able to switch to their own production after a short time. This was achieved in 1936 with the purchase of the first synthetic resin press. From then on, the insulator was made of Bakelite, a thermosetting plastic, instead of porcelain. With this, the small company had its finger on the pulse of the times and plastics processing had begun. Carl Naumann stood at the press himself and his wife Marie deburred the parts. At the outbreak of the Second World War, the small company had four synthetic resin presses and employed three to four assistants. Between 1941 and 1945, production had to be stopped because Carl Naumann was drafted as a soldier.Upswing of the post-war years
1946 – 1966
The production started before the beginning of the war could be resumed and the production of antenna accessories became more important. Carl Naumann also developed other articles, now for VHF antennas. The premises in the upper town of Battenberg soon became too small and an old Wehrmacht barrack was set up and repaired next to what was then the sports field. At the beginning of 1950, he then acquired the first injection moulding machine with which thermoplastics could be processed. The processing of thermoplastics gave rise to many new product ideas and areas of application. The company developed and with it the buildings. A new company building with a residential house was built. In 1952, CENA started its first own toolmaking shop, initially with second-hand machines. Here, the injection moulds for the various articles were manufactured in-house and parts were added to the range according to customer requirements. At the beginning of the 1960s, the CENA workshops now had about 50 employees. In 1965, Carl Naumann sold a large part of the production facilities to the Hettich company from Kirchlengern, for whom production had previously been carried out. With this equipment, a large proportion of the staff also went to the Hettich company, which initially continued to produce in the existing halls.Generation change
1967 – 1988
With the proceeds from the sale, new company buildings were built at Am Bahnhof 4 - directly opposite the previous location - and occupied in 1966. The company then continued with considerably fewer machines and personnel. CWB (CENA Werk Battenberg) was liquidated and the downsized company, with only 10 employees, was re-established as CENA Kunststoff KG. Carl Naumann was managing director, but the company now belonged to the two daughters Marie-Luise Hinrichs and Erika Müller. The company developed well and Carl Naumann transferred responsibility for the family business to his daughter Marie-Luise Hinrichs in 1972. His sister Erika Müller left the company. Marie-Luise Hinrichs and her husband Walter Hinrichs developed the company with entrepreneurial skill and vision. They expanded standard programmes for items sold from stock, but also continued to manufacture special parts. At the beginning of the 1980s, at the suggestion of Carl Naumann, cable glands and accessories were added to the production programme. In 1983, the entire Naumann, Hinrichs and Müller family celebrated the 50th anniversary of CENA Kunststoff together with long-serving employees and representatives from the town and the surrounding area. At that time, the number of employees had grown to 14. Already at the beginning of the 1980s, Marie-Luise and Walter Hinrichs recognised the potential of automated production and planning organisation. In the following years, they developed their own computer software especially for their injection moulding production, automated the raw material supply, the production of the articles and their removal. The hot runners, which were often still built in-house, were used for several injection moulds long before other companies marketed this idea ("hot side"). Even then, investments were made in sustainability; material silos were built, for example, in order to save packaging and labour and at the same time to be able to react better to fluctuating material prices.Upheaval and Renewal
1989 – 2019
Around 1990, the children of the Hinrichs family began to work in the company after their external professional training. Since then, both generations have focused on the further development of the company.
A self-developed production data acquisition system was created that monitors the production machines and enables a staff-free night shift. In 1998, Mr. and Mrs. Hinrichs withdrew from the operative business and transferred responsibility to their two children Ulrike Steiner and Klaus Hinrichs. In the time that followed, the company underwent renewal and improvement. The software developed in-house and adapted to the company, which could no longer keep up with modern requirements, was changed to standard software for injection moulding companies. The company's own production data acquisition system was expanded to include the important monitoring of all functions that are vital for production, such as cooling water, central dryer, etc., and networked with the machines. In case of serious problems, the entire production is automatically shut down. The new warehouse building with directly adjacent logistics connection not only improves the processes, but also provides space to renovate and insulate the aging buildings one after the other. This in turn is the prerequisite that with the new construction of the machine cooling system, this waste heat can be completely used to heat the buildings. At the time of its 75th anniversary, the company already had 30 employees, with customers spread across Germany and the entire European Union. The product portfolio is constantly being expanded, numerous patents are registered and approvals for own products have been added. A new focus is on developing joint products with customers. Sustainable management determines the company policy of Ulrike Steiner and Klaus Hinrichs. Since the end of the 1990s, the company has been ISO 9000 certified and uses the evaluations from this for continuous improvement processes in all areas. Investments have been made in photovoltaics and the reprocessing of materials. The automation of assembly items has made it possible to significantly increase quality and delivery reliability. Regular training courses and the training of young people ensure a stable workforce for the company.
The present
2020s
In 2019, the managing directors Ulrike Steiner and Klaus Hinrichs fundamentally restructure the company management. At the beginning of 2020, Mr Ralf Liese joins the management team and has been solely responsible for the operational management since 1 May 2020. The strategic orientation of CENA Kunststoff is shaped by the new 3-member company management in close coordination. Despite difficult general conditions caused by the Covid pandemic and global economic developments, the takeover of the business went smoothly. The company's claim for almost 90 years and 3 generations is to deliver high quality products in consistent quality. We want to continue to be a reliable partner for injection moulded articles for our customers. Mr Ralf Liese stands for these values and in particular for innovation. New products mark his start in the company.