1889-1935
| April 13, 1889 | Founding of the “Rheinische Metallwaaren- und Maschinenfabrik Aktiengesellschaft” by metals and mining conglomerate Hoerder Bergwerks- und Hüttenverein; operations were established and expanded under the direction of the engineer Heinrich Ehrhardt. |
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| 1889 | A plant is set up in Düsseldorf-Derendorf |
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| 1898 | Presentation of the first barrel recoil cannon fit for field service |
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| 1901 | Acquisition of Sömmerda-based Munitions- und Waffenfabrik from Dreyse |
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| 1919 | Changeover to nonmilitary products (locomotives, steam plows, office equipment) because of the terms and conditions laid out in the Treaty of Versailles |
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| 1920 | A bond to the value of 25 million marks is issued in order to be able to maintain production despite the tribulations of the early post-war years (production changeover, industrial disputes, supply bottlenecks) |
| 1921 | Resumption of military production |
| 1925 | Capital increase, the German Reich acquires majority stake |
| 1933 | Takeover of locomotive manufacturer August Borsig GmbH as a future arms production plant in Berlin |
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