Celebrating heritage: The oldest known JDN product

Helmut Kohl, former German Chancellor, once wisely said: “Those who do not know the past cannot understand the present and cannot shape the future.” This statement also applies to us at JDN and underscores the importance of our heritage in shaping the future.

We recently celebrated a new addition to the JDN heritage: a wooden winch believed to be more than 220 years old, making it the oldest artifact in our extensive collection of historical machinery. Unlike the more modern examples in the mining museums of the Ruhr region or even in our own company museum, which consist of bolted components, this winch was painstakingly assembled using wedges and is a testament to the skill and ingenuity of the craftsmen of a bygone era.

At the recent inauguration of our new premises, this winch was proudly unveiled by our managing partner Wilfried Neuhaus-Galladé. He said: “When we had the opportunity to bring back this winch made by our ancestors, there was no hesitation. It is not only a tool, but also a symbol of lasting quality and the tenacious spirit of those who built it.”

The winch, which is now on display at our headquarters, serves not only as a daily inspiration for our team, but also as a physical embodiment of our commitment to lasting quality and robust design. Every glance at the winch reminds us of our responsibility to uphold the standards set by generations before us and inspires our current efforts to develop solutions that are not only effective but also sustainable and durable.