Company Info
Founding Family

Sorpetaler's roots go back to 1880 when founder Hermann Nolte opened a small workshop in the town of Sundern-Hagen. He devoted himself to the diverse disciplines of a small millwork shop for many years until passing the reins to son-in-law Eduard Appelhans in 1927. The first Appelhans unswervingly guided the small shop through economical and political travail before ceding control to 17-year-old son Hubert Appelhans in 1947. Hubert Appelhans, in heart and soul a wood craftsman, was an innovator who made the critical decision during the first years of World War II to specialize in window manufacturing and thus laid the foundation for today's Sorpetaler. His workmanlike skills and passion for craftsmanship in wood mark the enterprise to present times.

The eldest of three siblings, two of whom perished as children, Hubert Appelhans and his wife Elisabeth always wished for a big family. Indeed the family grew nearly as fast as the firm. Their eight children - five sons and three daughters - guaranteed life in the Appelhans family would never be dull. Hubert's oldest son Eduard Appelhans has headed the firm since 1991 and is the third manager named Appelhans. Presently five of Elisabeths sons, four daughters-in-law and two sons-in-law are under Eduard's aegis as the family touch continues its influence on the enterprise and its business partners. Family solidarity is the company's defining characteristic.