1902
Second Anglo Boer War
Second Anglo Boer War in South Africa Roemer's mostly do sharpening of domestic knives, surgical blades, razors, scissors, choppers, saws and the occasional sword. Much of what we still do today.1926
Companies Act
Companies Act of 1926 came into legislation as the first of its kind in South Africa.1935
PTY LTD Incoporation
There is very little record of Roemer's Cutlery and Grinding Works up until 1935, due to the slow implementation of the Companies Act on small businesses. Roemer's Cutlery and Grinding Works is incorporated as...1940
New Owner
Mr. A B Roemer dies at the age of 65. Mr Roemer's sole named Heiress of his estate is neither able, nor willing to take over the business. On the 9th of August, Mr Howard Verrinder...1941
New Branch Shop
Mr Verrinder opens a branch shop at 11 Parliament Street, a portion of which is sub-let to a Mr Hans Kramer; the Music Box, for £21,50. This was the first of many tenants. In...1942
Miss Wiid Resigns
Miss Wiid resigns and over the next year, many secretaries come and go. Although not blatantly stated, records suggest that this is due to office politics.1943
Stock Shortages
Stock shortages arise due to WWII, and a budget is set up to allow the directors to travel to secure suppliers. In September Mr Verrinder transfers all shares to Mr Hill and retires.1951
The Münch Family Arrived
The Münch Family arrive in South Africa, having escaped the terrors of East Germany, with little more than the clothes on their back. Mr Münch, a qualified engineer from Germany who played a...1958
Board of Directors
Mr Hill appoints Mr P Conway and Mr P Polson on the board of directors and it is business as usual. Mr Hill retains all shares in the company.1961
Mr Cohen & Mr L and G Berg
Mr Cohen along with Messrs L and G Berg run the company on the same model as Mr Hill. Mr B Münch buys Roemer's Cutlery and Grinding Works (Pty)...1964
Mr Errol Weiner Joins
Mr Errol Weiner joins the company as apprentice to Mr Pierce, the foreman/factory manager. Mr E Weiner was the longest standing employee at Roemer’s, consulting after retirement, working at Roemer’s for 58 Years.1966
The Lucida House
Mr Münch buys the properties of 18 - 24 Durham Avenue and builds the 3 story Lucida House (named after the Camera Lucida that he used to manufacture in post war Germany). The new...1968
Registered under MEIBC
In September of 1968, Roemer's registered with the National Council for Iron, Steel, Engineering and Metallurgical Industry. Today, this falls under the MEIBC.1972
Mr R Laudien Joins
Mr R Laudien, Mr Munch’s son-in-law, an electrical engineer, begins his journey at Roemer’s, starting at the bottom on the factory floor, learning the machines. As in Mr Hill’s time, the first and...1980
Mrs A Laudien Joins
Mrs A Laudien, Mr Münch's only child, becomes involved in company affairs.1983
Machinery and Occupational Safety Act
Machinery and Occupational Safety Act comes into effect for all factories, Roemer's conforms to this act.1984
New Factory Rules
It is ruled, in 1973, that all companies have to register their scope of work and on 3/12/1984, according to the Registration of Factories, Roemer's falls under and is declared in this group.1985
Mr Münch's Health
Mr Münch's health begins to severely deteriorate, but he continues to work despite this.The 90’s
Growth & Reputation
The business continues to grow, building a sound reputation based on Mr Münch's secret and our motto: The quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten. Many new machines are bought and the ground...1992
Mr Münch Passes Away
Mr Münch dies from severe lung failure. Mrs Laudien takes over directorship, alongside her mother Mrs T Münch and begins working in accounts on a permanent basis.1993
Director Mr R Laudien
Mr R Laudien takes over from his wife as Director, alongside Mrs Münch. Occupational Health and Safety Act is signed and aims to provide all persons within a company's workforce and all those...1995
Labour Relations Act
The Labour Relations Act is signed and aims to promote economic development, social justice, labour peace and democracy in the workplace.2000
Mr R Laudien Injured
Mr R Laudien tragically falls and damages his spine. Although he does not lose full mobility, he must go through rigorous rehabilitation in order to gain some function. He is unable to...2001
Mrs A Laudien Passes
Mrs A Laudien passes suddenly. Mrs M Laudien begins working at Roemer's, taking over from Mrs A Laudien, her mother-in-law, in accounts.2002
Roemer's Founder Member
Roemer's is elected as a founder member of the Cape Town Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry.2007
Mr WB Laudien Becomes Director
Over the years, Roemer’s still plods along, doing it’s same tried and tested business. In 2007, Mr WB Laudien become director alongside his father. Mr W. Laudien brings a fresh, business-focused approach to...2008
A New Big Machine
Roemer’s acquires a new big machines…the Reform 40. This opens new doors and gives the company a chance to take on more work in it’s circular department. Over the next few years,...2010
Roemer's Expanding
Roemer's, still renting out the 2nd floor of Lucida House, now makes a move to occupy the 1st floor as space is becoming limited.2011
New Surface Grinders
Roemer's acquires 2 new surface grinders. The expansion to the 1st floor is complete.2012
With impending power supply issues from the national grid, Mr W Laudien embarks on a project to supply solar power to the building. Roemer's becomes B-BBEE compliant, a big step in supporting positive change and inclusivity...
2014
An Electrical Revamp
Over the next 2 years, Roemer's converts all its big drawing machines so that they pull less power, energy saving bulbs are installed and the entire factory goes through an electrical revamp. By the...2016
An Additional Furnace
Mr W Laudien buys a new additional furnace and Roemer's now has 2 hardening furnaces and 1 tempering furnace. The quenching room is adapted into a furnace and quenching room and new lights...2017
Mr W Laudien buys 2 new additional furnaces and Roemer’s now has 2 hardening and 1 tempering furnace. The quenching room is adapted into a furnace and quenching room and new lights blaze through the...
2018
Another new furnace in purchased, allowing Roemer’s to manufacture longer blades and in greater quantities. The old tempering furnace is retired. The Roemer’s Employee Trust is established to promote socioeconomic development and empower our workforce, giving every...
2020
Covid-19 Hits
COVID-19 hits South Africa with full force. Roemer’s, being an essential service to many industries, manages to gain permits to stay open during lockdown, but with drastic limits and restrictions. For the first time...2021
Though the uncertainty and worry about the future still hangs heavy on Mr W Laudien’s shoulders, Roemer’s donkeys on as its age-old self, with everyone teaming together to make things happen, to keep it going,...
2022
Mr P du Preez resigns Major machine upgrades are done. Mr S Laudien (Mr Munch’s great-grandson) joins as a Consultant Operations Manager and assists in the shift into Lean Manufacturing. Mrs M Laudien moves the company onto a...
2023
Production Manager is hired to further manage and instil the Lean Concept within RGW, increasing productivity and quality. All staff are trained in White Belt Lean Manufacturing. New bookkeeper is hired. C. Laudien moves into the Compliance,...
2024
Laudien starts the Employee of the Month initiative, recognising the 'laughter' in each day and those employees who go above and beyond to create a thriving work environment. 125 years - Nov marks the GRAND CELEBRATION...