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Kieffer Harness and Saddlery 150 YEARS OF CRAFTSMANSHIP, TRADITION AND PROGRESS In 1848 master saddler Johann M. Mayer established a saddlery workshop at ‚Hofgraben‘ in the city of Munich. Soon, the high quality of its products made it famous among the nobility and in 1854 Johann Mayer was able to purchase the building. The firm concentrated on building transport vehicles and elegant carriages, many of which were especially for Prince Thurn and Taxis. The production of a splendid state coach and gala sleigh for the Bavarian King Ludwig II from 1871 to 1873 was one of the highlights for the company. In time, a new workshop was established at Schoenfeldstr. 14 in Munich, opposite the former War Department and this remained the home of the saddlery until 1945. After the death of the founder in 1873 his son Ignaz Magnus Mayer took over the leadership of the company. In 1878 Mayer became the saddler and supplier of the Bavarian Royals. After a period of good an bad times, Georg Kieffer became the leader of the company by merging his saddlery with that of Mayer. Georg Kieffer conducted the business together with Hans Merker, who came from a saddle tree factory in Potsdam. After the death of Georg Kieffer in 1936 Hans Merker became the owner and sole manager. In those times, 150 workers were occupied in making product mainly for the armed forces. In 1945, during an air raid, the factory was completely destroyed. However, due to wise foresight and fear of such an event, a new factory had already been built in Munich Daglfi ng and this now became the home of the saddlery. The new beginning after the war was difficult. In 1959 the son of Hans Merker, Curt Merker, a master saddler himself, took over. Tradition and highest quality products became the hallmark of the company. Additions to the building and the use of modern manufacturing practices soon re-established Kieffer on the world market. In 1968 the experienced business man Hjalmar Conzet (now a partner) brought many new ideas for production and sales to the company. During all those years many apprentices have been trained