In 1886, Herman Elbs founded an electro-mechanical precision engineering workshop in Merianstrasse 24 in Freiburg at the instigation of several university professors. Here, the master in precision engineering manufactured precision instruments such as chronoscopes and precision scales. Initially only for Freiburg institutes, subsequently, after taking part in the 1893 World Exhibition in Chicago, also for US universities, Harvard amongst others, and Tokyo University. The product range was expanded to include theodolites and other measuring instruments, which were required for the construction of the railway in the Elz valley and the Kander valley near Freiburg. An expansion of the business soon required a move to larger premises at Friedrichstrasse 17. This is where Elbs first set up an electrical supply station with a gas-powered motor, a self-built generator and batteries to provide storage. This was at a time when Freiburg did not yet have a power station and corresponding power supply network.

In 1900, Elbs received authorisation by the “Worthy City Council” of Freiburg to set up electrical installations. He went on to install the “cold” electric light in many of the city’s townhouses, workshops and hospitals. Late 1918 saw the end of the First World War. Elbs survived the meagre post-war years and inflation successfully, albeit in reduced circumstances, through minor electrical work. Subsequently, business started to flourish once more and Elbs provided equipment for research institutes in many countries once again. In addition, he developed electric heating systems for churches and fully automated blackout systems for lecture theatres.

In May 1912, Elbs had employed the electrician Ernst Friedrich Zentner as an assistant at the age of 15. President Elbs recognised and valued his special skills in this discipline so highly that he made his young employee a partner in 1928. After the company founder left the business at the age of 75, Ernst Zentner went on to run the business as the new owner from 1936, staying true to the original policies and principles. The Second World War enforced an abrupt change in 1939. Ernst Zentner was called up for military service. His wife Else Zentner took over the management of the company in his absence.

When the bombs fell on the night of 27th November 1944, all the effort, planning and work at Elektrohaus Elbs were brought to a sudden stop. All the equipment, machinery and stocks were destroyed. Ernst Zentner did not return from captivity as a prisoner of war in Russia until 1949. In the meantime, Else Zentner had put all her enthusiasm, effort and endurance into building up a temporary business at Habsburgerstrasse 32, where production could be restarted step by step as well. After some time, they also found a retail outlet right next to the Bertold fountain in the heart of Freiburg. And after a year of construction work, a modern 800 sqm factory site with workshop and office building was completed in 1955 on the newly developed industrial estate of Freiburg Kronenmatte at Helligestrasse 2.

From 1962 onwards, Ernst Zentner managed the company, which he had headed for 30 years by then, under his own name, focusing on the areas of electrical installations, blackout systems as well as manufacturing machines. The business developed well, resulting in a first expansion of the workshop by 600 sqm in 1966. In the spring of 1978, Ernst Zentner handed management over to his two sons, the current company owners Hansjörg Zentner and Dr. Rolf Zentner. The company’s success continued steadily with innovative concepts, leading to a further expansion of the production space to a total of 2100 sqm in 1979.

For the company centenary in 1986, the production area at Helligestrasse was expanded for the third time, this time by 900 sqm to a total of 3000 sqm. Just eight years later, i.e. in 1994, the ever-expanding production of large special-purpose machines, especially screen cleaning machines, required another move, this time to the current premises at Jechtinger Strasse 15 in Freiburg. Since that expansion, the last for the foreseeable future, ZENTNER now has a total production area of 4,700 sqm available.

The next generation is at your service in the persons of Ralf and Achim Zentner, who continue to meet changing market challenges by their innovative spirit and who keep pace with rapid technological development with modern » Machinery across a production area of 4,700 sqm, 62 committed employees and the optimum solution for all requirements.

ZENTNER will continue offering a wide product spectrum, flexibly adapted to all customer wishes, and facilities for customized products. Take advantage of our wide-ranging expertise in the areas of » CNC Thin sheet technology, » Systems engineering and » Plant construction gained over 125 years of exciting and continually innovative company history.