Auf dieser Seite nehmen wir Sie mit auf eine Reise in die Vergangenheit unserer Firma und auch Deutschlands. Denn beides ist unzertrennlich miteinander verknüpft, dies ist die Geschichte von Erfolgen und Krisen, die in unserer 150 jährigen Firmengeschichte unser Land und unsere Firma begleitet haben und uns zu dem gemacht haben was wir heute sind.
Anton Brocker founded the Brocker pawnshop on Bismarckplatz in Mönchengladbach. Note: Previously, he managed the municipal pawnshop in Mönchengladbach. The concession to run a private pawnshop was already strictly regulated at that time. His status as a civil servant facilitated the granting of the concession
Founder Anton Brocker Senior retires and hands over the business to his son Anton Brocker Junior.
Inflation and the associated economic crisis force Anton Brocker Junior to close the business until further notice.
After 5 long and hard years, the business is reopened in 1925 in the third generation with Anton Brocker's daughter Katharina.
Katharina Brocker marries Johann Peter Schmitz and takes his last name.
Johann Peter Schmitz takes over the management of the business.
The Second World War forces Johann Peter Schmitz to close down the business.
The business can be reopened on the day of the currency reform. Note: At the time of the reopening Johann Peter Schmitz has exactly the cash capital, which is also allocated to every other citizen of the new republic in DM. This money and the credits on two relatively undamaged properties were used for the venture of the new start. Katharina Schmitz often complained about not being able to put enough food on the table, because her husband kept borrowing every mark. Today it may be assumed that the food was enough to draw strength for new successes, which were based on diligence and thrift.
Katharina and Johann Peter Schmitz open the first branch. The branch in Friederich-Engels-Allee in Wuppertal is dedicated to setting up business for their daughter Inge and her husband Rudolf Brauers.
In the meantime, a professional association of pawnbrokers is founded again. Johann Peter Schmitz serves on the board and helps to make the profession heard in public and official channels. Together with other active colleagues, Schmitz is able to contribute to the establishment of a pawnbroking ordinance in 1962, which is still in force today and has been described as exemplary by consumer protectionists.
Johann Peter Schmitz passes on the two branches he has built to the fourth generation. Leihhaus Brocker in Wuppertal is run by Rudolf Brauers and the branch in Solingen by Georg Schmitz. Since then, the Wuppertal branch and the Mönchengladbach branch of the business have existed.
The move to a better business location documents a change in the pawnbroking business. The anonymity of secluded streets and backyards is changing in favour of a self-confident appearance in good business locations. The reputation of pawnbrokers improves.
Rudolf Brauers buys the business in Solingen from Georg Schmitz. He expands his business activities towards the Lower Rhine region.
100 years after the company is founded, Georg Schmitz takes over the sole management of the Mönchengladbach branch, which had previously been expanded to include a branch in Neuss.
After successfully completing his professional training and as a certified diamond appraiser, Stephan Schmitz, Georg Schmitz's son, joins the company.
Georg Schmitz expands the Mönchengladbach branch to Aachen and opens a store there.
After successfully completing her professional training and as a certified diamond appraiser, Sabine Thiel, Georg Schmitz's daughter, joins the company.
The Brocker head office in Humboldstraße in Mönchengladbach is has gotten too small. The move to a nearby former bank on Schillerstraße with its spacious premises and large shop windows enables a significant expansion of business operations.
Georg Schmitz appoints his children, Sabine Thiel and Stephan Schmitz, to the positions of General Managers and entrusts them with the independent management of the Mönchengladbach branch.
The 125th company anniversary is celebrated with a special sale for the benefit of the customer.
The company grows to include a branch on Marktstraße in Krefeld.
The art pawnbroking service is added to the company's range of services.
Stephan Schmitz's son, Tom Schmitz, joins the company after successfully completing his professional training and becoming a certified diamond appraiser, thus marking the start of a new generation.
The vehicle pawnbroking service is added to the company's range of services.
The company Anton Brocker goes online and offers customers great prices for new and pre-owned jewellery in its own online shop.
Now Sabine Thiel's son, Fabio Thiel, also joins the company after completing his professional training and becoming a certified diamond appraiser.
The branch in Neuss moves from Niederwallstraße to Sebastianusstraße. The traditional company is given a modern facelift with this move.
The corona crisis holds the world under its spell. Nevertheless, the pawn shops from Anton Brocker are still there for customers.
Beim Blick in die Zukunft der Firma Anton Brocker GmbH kann man hinsichtlich der letzten 150 Jahre einen durchaus positiven Eindruck gewinnen.
Das Pfandgeschäft bleibt eine Konstante in dieser sich rasant entwickelnden Zeit. Für Kunden, Belegschaft und Familie ist die Firma Brocker seit jeher ein starker Partner an ihrer Seite.Nun bleibt nur noch abzuwarten und zu beobachten, wie die neuste Krise, mit dem Namen Corona, unser Land und unser Denken verändert.
Denn eines ist und bleibt sicher, die Zukunft wartet immer mit neuen Herausforderungen.