Description
VDM Metals looks back on a long and eventful history. The VDM abbreviation has its origin in Vereinigte Deutsche Metallwerke AG. This company was founded in 1930 when Berg-Heckmann-Selve AG from Altena took over Heddernheimer Kupferwerk and Süddeutsche Kabelwerk GmbH in Frankfurt. The two forerunning companies had roots dating back in part to the early 19th century. The merger that formed Vereinigte Deutsche Metallwerke AG was initiated by Metallgesellschaft (now GEA Group AG), the controlling shareholder of the Heddernheimer Kupferwerk company since 1893 and which also acquired a majority stake in the company group.
VDM was the leading German manufacturer of metal propellers before and during WW2, utilised by approximately 90 percent of the Luftwaffe’s front-line aircraft.