The Story Of The E.C. Emmerich Company
Began 150 Years Ago When Lincoln Practiced Law

The master-craftsman, Friedrich-Wilhelm Emmerich, founded E.C.E. in Remscheid, Germany in 1852.

In that era, cabinetmakers usually made their own tools. The founder made such fine planes for himself, that his colleagues offered to buy his tools for their personal use. The plane making business started and grew. Soon, the founder and his son, Max Emmerich, had to leave their small workroom and build a plant to make planes.

In the third gerneration, the two sons, Karl and Friedrich-Wilhelm increased the company steadily. In 1930, third generation Emmerich, Friedrich-Wilhelm, founded a branch in England and headed it.

During World War II the branch in England became self-supporting. However, factory buildings in Remscheid burned down completely. After the war, the other third generation son in Remscheid, Karl Emmerich, rebuilt his plant and re-opened it for business. After 1950, his fourth generation son, Friedrich-Wilhelm, supported Karl. In 1971 Karl Emmerich died.

After completing his education, Hans-Jörg Emmerich joined the company as the fifth generation and present owner of E. C. Emmerich toolmakers.

All owners were, and remain today, technicians who maintain the machinery in good mechanical condition. Most of the machines in the factory were specially designed and built by the Emmerichs. Today, the E.C.E. brand is well known worldwide by cabinetmakers for high quality planes and for other fine, hand wood working tools.

Around 1950, Friedrich-Wilhelm, with his father Karl, developed the Primus adjustment system with no freewheeling of the screw and no back sliding of the iron. It remains unique in that regard. The adjustable Expert jack plane and the Pocket plane followed. 

Setting the wedge too hard can no longer damage traditional wedged planes. A modern, E.C.E. patented integral steel wedge support prevents such damage to the plane body.

Carefully trained employees are today's basis for producing E.C.E.'s high-end tools.

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