From soap songs to the soap legend: the history of the Kerns in Offenburg

From soap songs to the soap legend: the history of the Kerns in Offenburg

Kreuzkirchstraße 17, 77652 Offenburg, Deutschland - In Offenburg, the history of a traditional soap factory comes alive, which shaped the city for over a century. In a captivating lecture by Eberhard Kern, the grandson of the founder, the eventful past of the soap factory Kern was illuminated. The retired teacher not only told about the glamorous times, but also of the tragedies that the family experienced. The presentation of a replica of the Lorenz-Oken monument, made from 1100 kilos of core soap, caused a sensation, such as bo.de reported.

The roots of the soap factory go back to 1830 when the tailor Master Philipp Suhm founded a soap settlement in Ohlsbach. The company changed in the hands of the family until Emil-Theodor Kern and his wife Sofie moved the business to Kreuzkirchstrasse. Here the rise of the soap factory began, which soon became known for its high -quality products. The couple's three sons contributed significantly to success and developed the "Oseko" brand, which quickly became synonymous for quality in the region.

a look into the past

The soap factory experienced ups and downs. After the First World War, which severely restricted the supply of raw materials, only two soap settings remained in Offenburg, including the Kern company. From 1922 it went uphill again, and the family invested in new technologies and advertising. The soap factory was not only an economic success, but also part of the city's cultural life. The soap box races, which became popular in the 1950s, contributed to the awareness of the brand, and the boxes with the names "Kern" and "Oseko" were an integral part of these events.

But the Second World War brought a dramatic turn. Production had to be stopped in 1942, and the loss of Emil, one of the sons, was a severe blow to the family in 1944. Despite these tragedies, the company flourished after the war, and Emil-Theodor Kern left a flourishing business when he died in 1950

The decline of the soap factory

The 1950s, however, were shaped by growing competitive pressure. Large companies such as Henkel and Unilever pushed onto the market, and synthetic products increasingly displaced traditional soaps. In 1954, production finally had to be stopped, and in the 1970s the historic buildings of the soap factory were demolished. Nevertheless, the heritage of the Kern family remains alive in Offenburg, and the memories of the glorious times of the soap factory are unforgettable, as is Bo.de.

The history of the soap factory Kern is not only a chronicle of economic successes and failures, but also part of the identity of Offenburg. The memories of the soap production and the associated traditions are kept alive in the city, and the replica of the monument from soap remains a symbolic testimony of this eventful past.