Catalonië (English)

In 1900, Henri Verbunt founded the Tilburgsche Stroohulzenfabriek Catalonië, which was situated in the Stedekestraat. The factory produced straw packing which was used primarily to protect wine bottles. Not only did Verbunt sell protective straw packing, he also sold wine bottles and preserving jars. From 1904 onwards, one department produced corks and from 1908 onwards another department produced wine bottle capsules.

In 1916, most of the company’s buildings burnt down, but they were rebuilt. Probably also in that year the cork and cork and capsule departments were taken over by the Capsulefabriek Holland (Schiedam) and the Kurkenfabriek Schiedam. Verbunt also founded a jute weaving company, an oil and forage company and a company which was situated in the Gasthuisstraat (Gasthuisring) and sold church requisites.

In 1937, Verbunt’s heirs sold Catalonië to Harrie van Diessen, who had already worked at the company from 1920. Because straw packing was increasingly replaced by cardboard packing, Van Diessen switched to producing wine, beer, milk, and lemonade bottles.

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• Catalonië