Erfurt celebrates 40 years of furniture history: contemporary witnesses wanted!

Erfurt celebrates 40 years of furniture history: contemporary witnesses wanted!

A lot is happening in Erfurt, especially in the area of ​​the furniture industry, which is not only an economic factor but also a cultural asset. On October 6, 2025 there will be an exciting lecture that documents the development of furniture production in the region over more than four decades. The Erfurt city administration has invited people to the city archive, where contemporary witnesses are also invited to collaborate on a chronicle. You are asked to contribute your knowledge as well as documents and images.

What makes the furniture industry so special? Quite simply: furniture is considered a personal and cultural asset that reflects people's character. Numerous models emerged in the GDR to meet the diverse needs of the population. VEB Möbelwerk Erfurt, a significant company with around 1,200 employees, played a central role in this. This was founded in the 1960s and was known as VEB Möbelkombinat Erfurt from 1968 to 1979 before becoming part of VEB Thüringer Möbelkombinat Suhl.

Founding and development

The beginnings of this traditional industry go back to the fall of 1945, when the “Forward Working Group” of carpenters, locksmiths and plumbers was founded. This originated on the premises of the wood and metal construction company in Erfurt. In January 1946, the entry into the commercial register was made, which marked the start of the production of industrial goods in the wood and metal processing sector. In the summer of 1949, the switch to furniture production followed in the course of industry shakeouts, and the company became public property.

The development in the furniture industry is not only a story of manufacturing processes, but also one of integration into social and economic developments. Heinz Möller, a former employee of the VEB Möbelkombinat Dessau, has made it his mission to research the history of these companies in more detail. He is intensively looking for contemporary witnesses and historical documents about furniture production in the GDR. “October 1, 1979 brought a turning point for the furniture industry,” explains Möller, “when seven furniture combines and a supplier combine were founded.” This foundation was necessary to address the economic challenges that resulted from the war and the division of Germany.

The role of the furniture industry

The furniture industry was more than just an economic sector - it was an essential element of the GDR's history. In the 1960s, East Germany produced around 3% of its gross domestic product (GDP) with furniture and was even the world export champion in this area. Until the fall of the Wall, companies such as VEB Möbelwerke Südharz Eisleben exported around 300,000 bedrooms to the Soviet Union. These successes contribute to the colorful historical palette of the region, not least through the innovative strength of the many companies and their workforces.

An invitation to actively shape collective memory: We look forward to the stories that would like to be documented. Interested contemporary witnesses are encouraged to contact the city administration. You can register at archivfreunde.erfurt@aol.com or by phone at 0361 655-2914. This ensures that the rich history of the furniture industry in Erfurt is not only preserved, but also remains alive.

For further information on the development of the furniture industry and the invitation to contribute to a chronicle, please also visit archive-in-thueringen.de and Heinz Möller's website hm-controlling.de.