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1941 War economy

In 1940, C. Lorenz AG takes over Schaub Apparatebau. When the war went on, all plants switch to arms production. In the process of consolidation, the Lorenz telephone business is transferred to the Mix & Genest affiliate. In February 1945, the Schaub plant in Pforzheim is almost completely destroyed in the course of one of the most devastating air raids throughout the war.

1943 Radar war

Radio measurement technology progresses significantly. In 1943, Lorenz equips maritime patrol aircraft with the “Hohentwiel” ship detection device, followed by naval versions for submarines and smaller surface ships. The 550 MHz radar is considered to be easy to use, robust and reliable. During the last years of the war, the Lorenz engineers also work on acquisition radars for air defence purposes.

Despite highly precise and technically sophisticated equipment, Germany remains inferior to the Allies in the so-called “radar war”.  Research activities in the field of broad-band devices and centimetre waves are prohibited, and there is a lack of manufacturing capacities and useful deployment concepts.

1948 New start I

In 1945, large parts of Europe lie in ruins. There is no company that did not mourn employees among those killed during the war. Production sites are destroyed. In the first post-war months, Lorenz’ production line included frying pans, micro ovens, bread slicers and firelighters. Due to the transatlantic relationship to the ITT Group, however, rehabilitation is energised. During the Berlin Blockade in 1948, Lorenz sets up a microwave transmission connection between Berlin-Wannsee and Torfhaus in the Harz Mountains. In the same year, the headquarters is relocated from the divided city to Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen – on an interim basis according to the plan. The Berlin-Tempelhof location and the old Schaub location in Pforzheim concentrates on radio and teleprinter technology, the Landshut plant concentrates on electrical machines and railway signalling technology and the plant in Esslingen concentrates on tubes manufacturing. The location in Hanover is closed down.

1948 New start II

The installation of a socialist system in Eastern Germany is accompanied by the collectivisation of the existing plants. The subsidiaries of large companies are turned into so-called “Publicly Owned Enterprises” and increasingly merged into combines, including small private companies. In the German Democratic Republic (GDR), the majority of the electrotechnical productions operate under the common brand Radio- und Fernmelde-Technik or RFT. This includes the former subsidiary plant of Siemens & Halske in Arnstadt that under the name of SAG Isolator produces radios as well as the first German post-war television sets for the Soviet Union. After 1948, it produces telephone systems and vendor parts for consumer electronics under the name of VEB Fernmeldewerk Arnstadt.

1948 New start III

Under state control, Hazemeyers Fabriek van Signaalapparaten in Hengelo operates under the name of NV Hollandse Signaalapparaten (HSA or “Signaal”). Soon after, today’s premises at the Twentekanaal are taken into service. Radar, electro-optics and computer technology replace optical and electromechanical devices, and the company grows rapidly.