Turnhout, 28th March 2002
PRESS RELEASE: CARTA MUNDI TAKES OVER THE SPIELKARTENFABRIK ALTENBURG
Carta Mundi continues its growth strategy
In view of its continuing internationalisation Carta Mundi announces today the take-over of the Spielkartenfabrik Altenburg, situated in the German Altenburg/Thuringen. After the integration of the German Altenburger und Stralsunder Spielkarten into the Carta Mundi group in 2000, the Spielkartenfabrik Altenburg will enable Carta Mundi on its turn to further strengthen its position on the German market. Thanks to this take-over Carta Mundi has a production capacity of more than 200 million decks pro annum.
Spielkartenfabrik Altenburg: tradition and efficiency
Spielkartenfabrik Altenburg is a company rich in tradition, situated in Altenburg/Thüringen, where already in 1543 playing cards were produced. The company has an annual turnover of 15.8 million and produces 29 million decks per year with 121 employees. Since 1996 the Spielkartenfabrik Altenburg belonged to the Ravensburger group, that made the plant into a modern and efficient factory. With Altenburger Carta Mundi will have a total production capacity of more than 200 million decks pro annum. The Spielkartenfabrik Altenburg has a modern printing room and a highly technological cardmaking production.
The products are mainly traditional playing cards for the German market such as Skat, Rommé, Doppelkopf, Schafkopf Tarock and Gaigel. Happy families decks and children's cards are best sellers. Spielkartenfabrik Altenburg also supplies different world renowned games producers.
Thanks to the take-over Carta Mundi considerably strengthens its presence on the German market, one of the most important selling areas in Europe for playing cards and cards for games. Also with this take-over, Carta Mundi can add the brands Altenburger and Berliner Spielkarten to its diversified portfolio. Moreover, Carta Mundi is not only the biggest European player , but also on the world market Carta Mundi is a leader with regards to the development and production of playing cards.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SPIELKARTENFABRIK ALTENBURG :
History
The Spielkartenfabrik has a history of playing cards production that goes back 450 years. Already in 1543 the first cards were produced by Merten Hockendorff, after whom a long list of playing cards makers follows. The golden age of the card production in Altenburg commences in 1832 with the Bechstein brothers. The card making as pure handicraft comes however to an end in 1886 with the foundation of the 'Altenburger Spielkartenfabrik Aktiengesellschaft', which also marked the birth of a new branch of industry. The Aktiengesellschaft existed until 1946.
In 1890 the factory was taken over by Carl Schneider and in 1897 (as many others) bought by the 'Vereinigten Stralsunder Spielkartenfabriken AG'.
In 1931 the company moved from Stralsund to the more centrally situated Altenburg; also the name was changed into 'Vereinigten Altenburger und Stralsunder Spielkartenfabriken AG'. In June 1945 the Russians relieved the Americans. They also came to Altenburg, where in 1946 the factory got dismantled. The company Altenburger und Stralsunder Spielkarten found a new home near Stuttgart.
Thanks to the engagement of the Altenburger employees a new playing cards factory with the name 'Altenburger Spielkartenfabrik' could be founded in 1948. This plant was however nationalized in 1957 at the time of the GDR.
In 1991 the company was again privatized and sold to 'FX Schmid, Vereinigte Münchener Spielkartenfabriken' in Prien.
In 1996 Ravensburger Spieleverlag took over the company FX Schmid over and moved the playing cads production from Prien to Altenburg. The sale of 'Berliner Spielkarten GmbH' in 1998 and the move of their production to Altenburg in 2000 the Spielkartenfabrik Altenburg could further expand.
With the sale to Carta Mundi Altenburger und Stralsunder Spielkarten and the Spielkartenfabrik Altenburg are again united in the same group.
The city of Skat
In Altenburg the game 'Skat' was developed in the beginning of the 19th century. The word 'Scat' is derived from the Italian 'scatola': because the tables that were used for playing cards, were very small, it was customary to put the remaining cards on a bit higher, common box (scatola), to avoid them being mixed with the other cards. From this practice originates the word 'Scat', which from those days on would be the name of the new, in Altenburg developed playing cards game.
The history of the city of Altenburg and of the Spielkartenfabrik Altenburg are very closely connected. Altenburg therefore got the epithet of 'the city of Skat'.
All over the world Skat players consider Altenburg as thé centre of the Skat game. Since 1919 the world famous playing cards museum of Altenburg is situated in its fortress. Altenburg even has a Skat court.
Production and products
The Spielkartenfabrik Altenburg has a modern printing room and a highly technological playing cards production.
The products are mainly traditional playing cards for the German market such as Skat, Rommé, Doppelkopf, Schafkopf Tarock and Gaigel. Happy families decks and children's cards are best sellers. Spielkartenfabrik Altenburg also supplies different world renowned games producers.