Factory Heeder & Co

Franz-August Heeder and his nephew Wilhelm Niemann had already founded a wallpaper and oilcloth factory in 1860. The business address was Bäkerpfad 1, today's Virchowstraße 130. In 1882, the Jewish merchant David Devries joined the company as a co-partner. The company was dissolved in 1888, but was re-established by Devries at the same location only one year later. Devries also retained the original company name "Heeder & Co"

After the death of David Devries in 1912, the company was managed by his son Karl. The company flourished strongly in the 1920s. In 1928, the company was taken over by Karl's son Kurt. This change in management, together with the world economic crisis, led to a sharp drop in sales. A circumstance that was not to improve until the liquidation of the company in 1938. 

Almost the entire factory site was purchased by Fritz Peters, who had previously acquired the main corrugated board and paper mill, the Jewish company "E. & O. Meyer" had acquired. Fritz Peters expanded the factory site to the east and produced at this location until the 1970s. In the 1980s, the factory building was converted into a cultural center by the city of Krefeld. Today, it is home to the Kresch Children's and Youth Theater, among others.