| Berlin turned
into the focus point of the East-West Conflict after the monetary reform began and the
German Mark was introduced as the new currency in West Berlin on June 24th, 1948: The
Soviet Union inflicted a blockade of Berlin. The land and sea passages between West
Berlin and Western Germany were blocked and the economical situation became
dramatically critical. Although the USA and Great Britain had begun airlift
operations, supplying Berlin with food and medication from the air, the movement and
transportation of industrial goods halted completely. The situation normalized after
the ease of the blockade on May 12th, 1949.
Following the blockage, the Hoffmann Company began with new technological
development in the areas of infrared irradiation and air circulation systems. In the
1950s, the focus of production turned towards the manufacturing of large installations
and plants. Industrial paint shops for the flourishing automobile industry were
manufactured. Major, important automobile manufacturers, such as Borgward and Lloyd as
well as several companies belonging to the Siemens-Group were now Hoffmann customers.
For Siemens-Halske, Hoffmann built a steam-heated radiating air-circulation oven with
two separate conveyer systems, and Siemens-Schuckert purchased another large
installation. |
Hans Hoffmann's Company address for
approx. 20 years: Leuschnerdamm 13
Paint shop, Lloyd, 1958
Steam-heated radiating air-circulation oven
with two conveyer systems, 1956
Infrared -Dryer, 1949
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