1851
Arnold Oventrop (1820-1871) founds the "Arnold Oventrop & Co. Messing- und Broncewaarenfabrik zu Altena" (bronze and brass works). From the start, the manufacturing programme is founded on materials containing copper. Brassware, e.g. fittings for furniture, doors and windows are produced.
1871
The company is passed on to the sons Friedrich Wilhelm (1847-1935) and Adolf Oventrop (1851-1912)
1886-1904
The town of Altena is by now highly industrialised. Employees are hard to find. Therefore Oventrop sets up further production places in the "Sauerland" region (amongst others in Iserlohn and Bigge).
1922
The son of Friedrich Wilhelm Oventrop, Paul Oventrop (1886-1974) takes over the works in Bigge. (The other works are gradually closed.)