Alfeld/ Paris. Fagus-GreCon is proud and glad at the same time to hear that its Fagus Factory in Alfeld has been classified as being of UNESCO world cultural heritage value. The decision was made at the 35th meeting of the UNESCO world cultural heritage committee meeting in Paris from 19th to 29th June 2011.

“Of course we are glad that the efforts we have made over decades to preserve the valuable factory building, designed by Walter Gropius, have been appreciated and now are also honoured by UNESCO“, emphasized Ernst Greten (Managing Director of Fagus-GreCon) and Karl Schünemann (responsible for the handling of the application process) in a first statement. "However without these long years of labour, and energetic external assistance, rendered for example by the Federal State Government, the State Office for the prevention of historical monuments in Lower Saxony, as well as by numerous public personalities, we would never have reached this goal. We count on it that we will continue to receive assistance ", underlines Ernst Greten, "because it is our aim to preserve and maintain this exemplary Walter-Gropius-Building for coming generations."

The Fagus Factory, built in 1911 by Walter Gropius and Adolf Meyer, is considered the original oeuvre of modern architecture. The architects succeeded in creating, for a middle-sized company, an absolutely unusual appearance totally different from  traditional designs. 100 years later, the timeless factory building now classified as a historical monument, still achieves its original purpose and is meanwhile seen to be a success story of exemplary industry culture of the 20th century. The Fagus Factory will celebrate its 100th anniversary this year. Since its foundation the building has been continuously used for production: now, as before, Fagus shoe lasts are  still part of the product range but today's products also include measurement and fire protection systems sold under the GreCon trademark, as well as finger-jointing lines sold under the Grecon Dimter trademark. The building complex has been a classified historical monument since 1946 and was laboriously restored in the course of past years, a fact which thousands of interested visitors, originating from many countries, have already, or will continue to see for themselves. Of particular interest is the Fagus-Gropius-Exhibition (opened for EXPO 2000 along with a shop and cafe) situated in the centre of the production halls, which can be visited by everyone.  Meanwhile the Walter-Gropius-Building, as a location for various cultural events, such as exhibitions and concerts, has become an established part of the cultural life in the Alfeld region and Lower Saxony generally.

Fagus-GreCon Greten GmbH & Co. KG is a privately held company located in Alfeld/Hanover, Germany. The Fagus business unit is foremost in the manufacturing and development of shoe lasts. The GreCon business unit is the market leader in the manufacturing and development of measuring equipment and fire protection systems for the wood-based panels industry. Both divisions are operating world wide.