Elmeridge - Historical Cable Archive

The construction of a drawing plant represented the first major investment in the new endeavour. A chart dated May 1886 kept in the Lynen archives outline the size and lay-out of this new equipment it is the erection and commissioning of this which marks the very beginning of the history of the Lynenwerk. In addition to the wire drawing equipment a reliable source of energy was required. Water power, available at the time, was not sufficient.

Therefore, as early as in 1885, plans were made to use steam power. This required the erection of new buildings for which construction permits were granted on June 12,1885. The expansion program was completed in 1886; it resulted in a doubling of the original size of the plant. After an extended shake-down period, the new 1886 factory was capable of producing goods which met market requirements.

The first finished product was bare wire, drawn on rod breakdown and fine wire drawing machines in the wire drawing department. Further, processing of the bare wire resulted in the first finished products: lightning conductors.