BOKER History
A giant chestnut tree shading the small Boeker tool factory in Remscheid in the 17th Century is the oldest traceable symbol connected with the Boeker name. Apparently, Boeker tools were very successful since they were amongst the leading products in Germany and neighbouring countries 100 years later.
Due to the increasing demand in a restless political era, Hermann and Robert Boeker decided in 1829 to begin with the production of sabres. As early as September 1830 the accounting records indicate a weekly production of 2000 items made by 64 smiths, 47 grinders and a large number of unskilled labourers. In view of the constantly increasing variety of tools and cutting instruments and the good opportunities for worldwide sales, the family realised that the individual steps in the manufacturing process had to be spread out for optimal realisation of its interests. As a result, Hermann Boeker emigrated and founded H. Boeker & Co. in New York. Young Robert developed his enterprise in Canada and also founded a branch in Mexico later in 1865. This branch is still a market leader in its country under the name of Casa Boeker.
Heinrich Boeker crossed the nearby Wupper River and went to Solingen where the German industry of cutting tools was growing by leaps and bounds at that time. In 1869 he founded Heinr. Boeker & Co. with Hermann Heuser, a well-known specialist in the field of cutting tools. The Boeker family in Remschied, and their overseas cousins had a lot of interest in - and a great demand for - shaving blades, scissors and pocket knives from Heinrich’s new enterprise. However, considering the fact that illiteracy was widely spread, they had to identify their products for the overseas markets in a different way since many customers and consumers had problems with the German name – Boeker.
In Heinrich’s opinion, the chestnut tree near the Remschied facility represented an ideal, easy-to-remember symbol. This brand symbol was owned by the Remscheid company, together with a second logo, the arrow. One of the few valuable documents that survived the total destruction of WWII is an advertisement by Boeker, Remscheid from the year 1874 showing both logos.
The relationship between the two Boeker companies had always been extremely friendly. Therefore Heinrich was allowed to take the tree symbol across the river with him, without conflict or cost. Since then not a single Boeker article has left the Solingen factory without being identified by the tree symbol. After more than 100 years of existence the old chestnut tree became the victim of lightening; in 1925 a talented artist carved a copy of the majestic tree on a piece of the trunk and this original piece of art is proudly displayed in the Boeker plant CEO office.
As early as 1900 the majority of articles produced by Boeker were distributed in the US market. In New York, H. Boeker & Co. concentrated primarily on cutting tools from Solingen and pocket knives soon became more important than scissors, shaving blades and eating utensils. The demand increased even more rapidly than Solingen was able to supply and therefore the Americans in New York began their own production of pocket knives and pliers as well. Since the tree symbol had become well known by then and the various branches of the international Boeker family enjoyed an excellent relationship among each other, it was not difficult to receive permission from the Solingen relatives to use the tree symbol also for the American products. Since that time, two different lines of Boeker knives have been on the American market with the same brand symbol, sometimes even with the same article numbers, but one line was made in the USA and the other in Solingen. Only the declaration of marketability clarified that one line was from Boker USA and the other from H. Boker Improved Cutlery Solingen.
The relationship was interrupted during WWII. The Solingen factory burned down completely. None of the equipment, tools, catalogue materials or samples were spared. Those few originals from the past that we still have today actually survived the war in private homes and were made available to the company. The firm lost one of its most valuable assets - the registration of the tree symbol for the American market was confiscated pursuant to American law. John Boeker Jr. acquired it in New York, in order to secure it for the distribution of the American and German products. Soon after the war, the destroyed factory was rebuilt. Those loyal skilled workers who had survived the war returned and helped with the reconstruction of the building as well as the production - gradually regaining the previous high standard of quality.
The American cousins renewed their business contact with Solingen and started to place orders. Within a few years Boker, New York, had again become the principal customer.
In the early 60s, Boker USA was sold and eventually acquired by the well-known scissors manufacturer, Wiss & Sons. Wiss retained the manufacture of Boeker knives and sold them together with Solingen products. Of course, this meant that the Boeker scissors ceased to be competitors of the Wiss line in the American market. In the early 70s, Wiss sold to Cooper Industries, a multinational company. This new change in America proved to be advantageous for Boker.
A very close business, as well as personal relationships developed with this industrial giant. Due to its strength on the market, Cooper was able to restore the original magnitude of the Boeker name. Thanks to the very lively business activities with Cooper for 8 years, the Solingen facility could streamline its production and develop new, modern products. Without exaggeration, Boker manufactures the largest assortment of high-quality knives for sportsmen and collectors with an unsurpassed variety of materials for blades and handles. Boeker knives range from 320-layer Damascus steel to very modern ceramics - with handles ranging from high-quality mother-of-pearl to Thuya root wood and state-of-the-art synthetics.
In 1983 Cooper discontinued its own knife production. Models still in demand are being manufactured in Solingen today. As a result of friendly negotiations, Cooper restored the American trademark rights three years later, providing Solingen with the opportunity to become self-reliant in the huge American market. Thus, in 1986, Boker USA Inc. was created in Denver, Colorado. Chuck Hoffman, the man who was involved with the company then, is still active as CEO today - working with a young, energetic team.
The great importance of Boeker in the South American markets (Argentina and Chile) and Mexico is due to the efficient men of the Boeker family who were active for the company in these countries in the 19th and 20th Centuries. Today’s trademark includes the terms Treebrand and Arbolito. Since the Argentinian market, in particular, is subject to extreme economic and political fluctuations, the good name Arbolito was in danger of being forgotten. In 1983, Boeker Arbolito S.A. was founded jointly with the Salzmann family primarily to manufacture household and work knives in Argentina. Thanks to constant modernisation and expansion of product lines the company in Buenos Aires is able to compete worldwide with selected products today.