Kassel, we keep up the current point of view, was the original location of the Henschel plants. It is now part of Mercedes, employs approximately 3,000 people and is considered the largest axle plant in Europe.

The factory is now little more than 200 years old, the history of the family business Henschel goes even further at least 50 years, namely as a foundry for church bells. The new factory was founded in 1810. But cannons were also produced.

It was the time after Napoleon (1815) and the resurgence of Prussia including the armament. This led after several wars to the establishment of the German Empire in 1871 under Prussian supremacy. The business development also brought forward the soon starting railway construction after the founding.

Steel was also used in bridge construction (see history MAN) and towards the end of the century for Germany's armament against England's naval supremacy. The company boasted of having built more than 20,000 locomotives until 1923, the first were named 'Dragon' and 'Edward'.

When the order volume declined rapidly because of inflation and the rigid monetary policy of the Weimar Republic after the First World War, one turned towards the production of commercial vehicles. Similar MAN are first built Swiss buses and trucks from 3 up to 6 tons with engines up to 37 kW (50 HP) under license: Franz Brozincevic from Wetzikon.

It still remained at 3 up to 6 tons for the time being, but also semi-trailers with two trailers and 36 tonnes gross vehicle weight were allowed. The first production diesel engine as a combination of prechamber engine and direct injection brought it to 92 kW (125 HP). In 1935, the product range was expanded to 2.5 - 10.9 tons, respectively 20 up to 60 bus passengers.

Hitler's increased construction of motorways enables rapid coach trips for the first time. Henschel developed a bus in a streamlined shape for this purpose. Also the light trucks should be quicker aerodynamic and were rounded on the cab and the radiator grill was placed oblique.

Because Henschel also dealt with aviation since 1933, one can easily imagine the importance of the plant for the war production. However, it was thereby also the aim of Allied bombers. When the war ended in 1945, it was destroyed 80 percent. It had 15,000 employees, but was allowed to produce only products approved by the occupying power.

Not until 1949, one brought back the production of commercial vehicles to the factory. The only existing engine was the with 70 kW (95 HP). However, it was installed partly in buses under the name 'Bimot' and then also in trucks in duplicate. The development has also strongly increased in locomotive construction.

1957 ended up in a crisis. The Henschel family left the company. An external manager headed the firm and took it over gradually. The production in the field of locomotives and aircraft engines was terminated. The staff, meanwhile dropped to 8,000, again reached 13,500. The depression seemed finished by re-entry into the locomotive production and a new vehicle program.

But the business success did not come. Cooperations such as with Saviem failed, the new models had only limited success. Also the offer to acquire the vehicles in the leasing method, did not help. In addition, a military order supposed to have been transacted 'unclean'. Henschel is first taken over by Rheinstahl and then from Daimler-Benz. 12/14