In the beginning August Strauss and his two sons, including Engelbert traded in brooms and brushes that were manufactured in Kassel, a district of Biebergemünd. Due to its focus on manufacturing brooms this district is still commonly called Besenkassel. In 1948 after the war Engelbert Strauss continued the family trading tradition and founded the company bearing his name. He expanded the product range to include work protection clothing. The first products were gloves, which still play a central role in the company’s portfolio. In the 1960s the company switched to mail order business, and started its catalogue business in 1973. The product range was gradually expanded to include garments and shoes. In 1994 a new 40,000 sqm building with a logistics centre was erected on the company grounds in Biebergemünd, around 50 km northeast of Frankfurt am Main. The company’s new 50,000 sqm flagship store, was erected on the company grounds in Biebergemünd in 2015.
General management
Today, the third and fourth generation manages the family company jointly. Engelbert’s son, Norbert Strauss, and his two sons, Steffen and Henning Strauss, are the managing directors. The company employs 1,200 staff.
Awards
Engelbert Strauss was nominated ‘Top National Employer 2017’ in the category ‘Clothing, footwear and sports equipment’. Also, the company won the prize as ‘the most popular family business’ in the category textile company and 33rd out of 100 overall. In 2015 the company was awarded the German Logistics Prize and in 2016 it was awarded the European Logistics Prize.
In popular culture
Dorfrocker a German music group from the Lower Franconian Kirchaich. Their music belongs to the "Party Rock" section and contains elements of folk music, rock music, hit song and country music. Dorfrocker have appeared in over 120 television shows, have played in over 1200 live concerts at home and abroad and have more than 150,000 Facebook fans. The group consists of the three brothers Tobias, Markus and Philipp Thomann, who perform at concerts together with their live band. In 2017 they were nominated for the ECHO in the category "Folk Music". Songs include Auf der Alm, So kenn i di and Englebert Strauss
