The firm of Duensing began in the year 1887, when Wilhelm I was Emperor of Germany and Otto von Bismarck managed the affairs of state as Chancellor. In Paris construction work was beginning on the Eiffel Tower, and near Kiel Kaiser Wilhelm I inaugurated work on the North Sea – Baltic Sea Canal.
The first generation: start of the 'bricklaying business'
In the small town of Eilvese, near Neustadt am Rübenberge in the province of Hanover, the skilled mason Friedrich Duensing founded his 'bricklaying business' on 1 April 1887. Within only a few years the company had grown to a considerable size. Numerous houses and farms were created by the hands and trowel of the company's founder, as well as schools and buildings for the Deutsche Reichsbahn railways. In and around Eilvese many buildings which were erected under his supervision can still be seen to the present day.
The second generation: expansion of the core business from 1924 onwards
In 1924 Adolf Duensing took over from his father at the head of the company. To its construction operations he added the business divisions of civil engineering and railway construction work. By the time of his death in 1971 he had built the company into one of the leading construction firms in Lower Saxony. Under his management the company's site and fleet experienced considerable growth, with turnover rising from 124,000 DM in the year 1952 to 4 million DM in 1970 – an increase of over 32 times.
The third generation: achieving new dimensions
On the death of his father in 1971 Friedrich Duensing took over the management of the family company at the age of only 23, transforming it over time into a modern, highly qualified and reliable force in the German construction industry. Building work, civil engineering and rail construction remained the company's core operations, but the new head of the company successfully managed to widen its operations, adding the construction of turnkey residential property, factory buildings and cable laying to its portfolio. On German reunification the company also gained a foothold in the new federal states, with Friedrich Duensing Sr and his son Friedrich Duensing Jr founding KGE Kabel- und Gleisbau GmbH in Erfurt in 1992.
Orders from all over Germany arrived at company HQ in Eilvese, including in 2001 the largest single order the company had ever received: Duensing received a contract from Deutsche Bahn AG to establish an electronic interlocking system in Bavaria covering a distance of 80 km. A team of 35 from Duensing spent an entire year laying the necessary railway tracks and cables.
The fourth generation: tradition meets future
With the entry of the fourth generation into the family business, the course has been set for the future: In 2004 Friedrich Duensing joined his father Friedrich Duensing senior in the management of the company.
After 10 years of joint management, Friedrich Duensing has managed the company alone since 2014. The core business fields of structural engineering, civil engineering and rail construction are being expanded further and DUENSING is being formed into a company with a tight, highly efficient organisational structure - a guarantee for reliable, quick and unbureaucratic decisions as well as fast and flexible action. Projects throughout Germany, Belgium, Norway and Switzerland have been part of our daily business ever since.
Chronology
2017
DUENSING celebrates its 130th anniversary. The company employs 210 people and achieves total sales of around 40 million euros.
2014
Friedrich Duensing is the sole manager of the company. His father continues to support the company as a consultant.
2012
Duensing celebrates its 125th birthday.
2011
The construction industry recovers from the economic crisis. Duensing raises its overall turnover to around €35 million. The company employs a workforce of approx. 190.
2010
The company site grows to 22,000 m² with extensive storage halls for machinery and materials, enlarged office buildings and a paved builder's yard.
2007
A new branch is set up in Ulm specialising in rail construction
2004
The company commits to renewable energies and in the years which follow equips almost all the buildings on the company site in Eilvese with photovoltaic installations.
2004
Friedrich Duensing Jr becomes manager of the family company, together with his father Friedrich Duensing Sr. Together they continue to expand the core business areas of building work, civil engineering and rail construction while shaping the firm of Duensing into a company with a lean, highly efficient organisational structure. Projects throughout Germany as well as in Belgium, Norway and Switzerland are now part of daily operations.
2001
Track construction and cable laying work for Deutsche Bahn provide the company with the largest single order in its history.
2000
Within 30 years Duensing increases its turnover from 4 million DM in 1970 to around 43 million DM in the year 2000. During the same period the company's site grows from 5,000 m² to an area of over 11,000 m².
2000
On the occasion of Expo 2000, the world exposition in Hanover, the firm of Duensing receives the contract to carry out the reinforced concrete engineering for the German pavilion.
1998
As one of the pioneers in its industry, Duensing receives quality management certification in the rail construction field in accordance with DIN EN ISO 9001.
1992
Friedrich Duensing Sr and his son Friedrich Duensing Jr found KGE Kabel- und Gleisbau GmbH in Erfurt.
1990
Duensing becomes a partner for six years in HTE-Bau Haldensleben GmbH, a company specialising in building work, civil engineering and rail construction.
1985
Friedrich Duensing founds a branch in Berlin, which is active until 1989.
1971
On the death of Adolf Duensing his son Friedrich takes over the management of the company. In its core operations of building work, civil engineering and rail construction he continues to shape the company into a modern, highly qualified and reliable force in the German construction industry.
1970
As a leading construction company in northern Germany Duensing generates turnover of 4 million DM.
1961
Duensing employs a workforce of 120
1950
In its core business areas of building work, civil engineering and rail construction Duensing generates turnover of 124,000 DM.
1937
Duensing employs a workforce of around 300 on building sites throughout Lower Saxony, employed in building work, civil engineering and above all rail construction.
1927
With growing business success Adolf Duensing continuously invests in the conversion and expansion of his company. In the following years new storage facilities for machinery and material are established on the company site at Kleeblattstraße 2 in Eilvese.
1924
Friedrich Duensing hands over responsibility for his 'bricklaying business' to his son Adolf, who expands it into a leading regional company in building work, civil engineering and rail construction.
1899
Friedrich Duensing becomes a master bricklayer and, within only a few years, builds up his newly founded company to a considerable size.
1887
Friedrich Duensing and his wife Marie settle in Eilvese at Wölkenberge 64, the present-day Kleeblattstraße 6. On 1 April 1887 he establishes his 'bricklaying business', thus laying the foundation stone for the family company.