Everything begins in the year 1845. In those days the bank house Meyer from Hanover purchases the empty buildings of a deserted brass works in Reher to a price of 5.500 Taler (former German silver coins) and continues the business. A factory is built first for the production and repair of agricultural machines. Later on, a spinning mill, a weaving mill and a sheet metal work follow. The company is successful and the old works becomes soon too small. In 1860 the banker takes the opportunity to purchase a large piece of land – the present factory premises – nearby and conveniently located. The banker Wilhelm Meyer starts to build a larger factory. Four years later, in 1864 Aerzener Maschinenfabrik GmbH is founded. The small stream Grießebach flowing by provides the necessary energy: A water wheel drives the machines of the factory. At that time Aerzen is a small village of 1.300 inhabitants mainly living on agriculture. But the beginning of the industrialisation finds its way also to the province. The mechanization of farming begins – and Aerzener Maschinenfabrik GmbH grows with this new market. In 1867 the factory receives its own iron foundry. From now on all products, factory equipment and tools are self-made. The foundry makes it possible to increase the scope of products: In addition to agricultural machines windows of cast iron are manufactured in series as well as memorials and crosses. Smithy facilities follow at a later date. In 1868 the first displacement positive blower is produced in Aerzen and this is the first one on the European continent. Because of ist high efficiency it soon becomes popular to trade and industry. Building activities continue: In 1878 the present staff restaurant is built. Ten years later the production programme already includes positive displacement blowers, steam locomotives, threshers, chaff cutters, tedders, circular saws, portable forges, capstans and garden furniture.

In the year 1887 the 3.000th blower is manufactured. While the manufacture of blowers continues to increase in the following years the manufacture of agricultural equipment is stopped. The factory supplies complete smithy facilities and brewing machines instead of this foundry machines. As in the early years farmers were the main customers of Aerzen products now the clientele changes a lot. Aerzener Maschinenfabrik GmbH now works more and more for foundries, mining and steel works. The number of employees doubles within a few years. In 1897 the 5.000th blower is finished. While hitherto Aerzen blowers have been equipped with rotary pistons of wood lagging first pistons completely made of iron are produced at the end of the 19th century. This is the time when Aerzen is connected to the railway system. In 1904 the village is provided with electric power supply as the first place in the whole administrative district of Hameln-Pyrmont.
This was the basis for the dynamic development at the beginning of the 20th century…

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