Company
A PASSION THAT BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER!
In our hectic times, people who put time aside for their passions are very special indeed. The enjoyment of a lovely pipe and the delightful flavour of exquisite pipe tobacco are passions that bring people together all over the world. VAUEN offers top quality pipes, filters, tobacco, and accessories for all those who love everyday details.
The world of VAUEN is a philosophy of life. A philosophy for those who look beyond their own nose, and their own pipe. Contemplative, relaxed, and communicative, pipe lovers are a welcome addition to their surroundings and active participants in everyday events. Individual and imaginative, pipe smokers have their own special style. The best quality and a commitment to the interests of passionate pipe lovers will continue to be the drive for the pipe manufacture VAUEN and its employees in the future.
Paths, values, and visions
Quality and a wealth of ideas have a long tradition at VAUEN. 160 years of VAUEN: that means 160 years of skilled workmanship and modern technology and 160 years of experience in fulfilling the individual wishes of today’s pipe lovers, and those of tomorrow.
In Nuremberg in 1848, Karl Ellenberger and his partner Carl August Ziener turned an idea into reality: Germany’s first pipe manufacturer produced tobacco pipes for connoisseurs around the world using a selection of the best wood. In an amalgamation with the Gebhard Ott pipe factory, which was founded in 1866 in Nuremberg, the Vereinigten Pfeifenfabriken Nuremberg (United Pipe Factories Nuremberg, or VPFN) was born in 1901.
Under the management of Ernst Eckert, a descendent of the founding Ott family, a company was born whose products and services would shape the tobacco and smoking culture in Europe and overseas for the next 160 years, and counting.
VAUEN through the ages
In his search for a name that would be easily remembered by all pipe lovers, Ernst Eckert’s son, Adolf Eckert, coined a new name for the company in 1909: VAUEN – a composition of the first letters V (pronounced vow) of Vereinigte Pfeifenfabriken and N (pronounced en) of Nuremberg. A brand for the future was born.
In 1911, Adolf Eckert began to mark pipes with extraordinary quality with a white dot on the mouthpiece. Today, the “white dot” is an internationally renowned trademark that guarantees carefully selected materials, attractive grains, and elaborate workmanship. VAUEN pipes made for export are marked with a grey dot.
After 1945, Ernst Eckert, the son of Adolf Eckert, and his unshakeable pioneering spirit succeeded in overcoming the devastation left by the war. Once again, VAUEN prospered as a company with international renown.
Since 1982, Alexander Eckert, the fifth generation of pipe manufacturers, has been the manager of the oldest German pipe manufacturing company. Increased international commitment has allowed the company, which has been family-owned since its founding, to continue to grow in importance.
In 2016 Martin Ramsauer joins the company, as designated successor of Alexander Eckert. The trustful and considered succession plan ensures the retention and transmission of the values and recipes for success of the over 170-year old family business.
In 2018 Martin Ramsauer has been appointed as an additional managing director, alongside Alexander Eckert. The increase of international growth, the close cooperation with clients and suppliers as well as the clear commitment to quality and innovation "Handmade in Germnay" will continue to be a hallmark of VAUEN's policy.
Also in 2018 Julia Eckert, the youngest daughter from Alexander Eckert, joins the business and therefore represents the 6th generation of the family. She takes over the Strategic Marketing department and is from now on responsible for the establishment and extension for all the marketing activities (on- and offline).
In 2020 Alexander Eckert hands over the entire management to his successor Martin Ramsauer and retires from the active management after 38 years. He will remain loyal as a partner of the family business and ‘sparring partner’ in general. In this way, it is ensured that pipe history will continue to be written successfully at VAUEN and our passion for enjoyment will be shared with pipe lovers all over the world.
