Tradition Meets Innovation: Steelworkers’ Heritage Association Visits Menzel Elektromotoren in Hennigsdorf

Where once the rhythmic pounding of rolling mills dominated the scene, today the state-of-the-art production lines of Menzel Elektromotoren GmbH are in operation. At this historic location at Am Walzwerk 2, MENZEL recently had the pleasure of welcoming a very special group of visitors: Stahlwerker-Traditionsverein Hennigsdorf e.V.

Around 20 former employees of the Hennigsdorf steelworks took the opportunity to tour the new MENZEL electric motors plant. Many of them had spent decades working on the same site – back then in production, downstream processing, or research at the rolling mill that shaped the town’s industrial identity.

A Site with Industrial Legacy

The Hennigsdorf steelworks has a history stretching back more than a century. Founded in the early 20th century, it grew to become one of the most significant industrial hubs in the region. During the GDR era in particular, it stood as a cornerstone of heavy industry, employing thousands and driving economic development.

With the structural changes of the 1990s, the site underwent profound transformation. Parts of the facilities were gradually shut down, the old rolling mill dismantled, and the land eventually cleared for new industrial use.

A New Chapter: Menzel Elektromotoren

In 2024, Menzel Elektromotoren GmbH inaugurated its new facility on precisely this ground. Our family-owned company manufactures large-scale and custom electric motors for worldwide applications, continuing the region’s industrial tradition while redefining it through advanced technology.

A Meaningful Encounter

CEO Mathis Menzel personally guided the group through the production areas, providing insight into the company’s processes and engineering expertise. The visitors followed the explanations with great interest, frequently connecting what they saw to their own experiences from decades earlier.
“It was remarkable to witness the transformation of the site – and at the same time deeply moving to hear the personal recollections of those who once worked here," the company concluded.

The visit thus became a bridge between past and present: a dialogue between Hennigsdorf’s steelmaking heritage and the future of industrial production, written anew with innovation and high-performance electric motor technology.