Iron Foundry

· In 1888 Janos Weitzer, Austrian manufacturer founded the Weitzer Janos Machine- Wagon Factory and Iron Foundry

· That company became unprofitable so Weitzer sold the buildings and machines to Sopron-Graz Iron Factory founded in 1901

· In 1909 the factory started production like a steel and mild steel foundry with 200 workers

· Main products were lock parts and keys (grey mild steel and copper casting)

· From 1914 the foundry made horseshoes and snaffles for the army of the Monarchy

· In 1923, 420 employee worked there

· From 1930, main products were household castings (stove casting, meat-grinder, shod)

· After the II. world war on 10 Jan 1946, the new owner is the Soviet Union

· 1950 – new building: community center

· 1950-52: record production of 2 400 tons per year with 500 workers

· 31st Oct 1952 – new owner is the Hungarian state, new name is Sopron Iron Factory

· 1st July 1953 – the company divide into 2 factories, Sopron Iron Foundry and Sopron Iron Factory

· Production of 650 standard soft casts this time

· 1956 – production of 28 000 pcs.bearing for MÁV (Hungarian Railways)

· 1st Jan 1959 – the Foundry (and the slibling Iron Factory) become members in Elzett Iron Factory (this membership lasted until 1986)

· Main products were fasteners, lock-, door-, and window hardwares this time

· 1980 – production nearly reached 9 500 tons per year

· 900-940 workers between 1980-83

· From 1989 several ownership changes and destruction periods

· 2001 – Austrian owner with 6 (!) employee

· 2006 – Sopron Iron Foundry closed

· Since 2009 the main building has been under protection

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