A proud history
Graduate engineer Werner von Seydlitz came to Sweden with two empty hands in 1949. Forests, agriculture and engineering were his life. When he retired in 2016, he wished that other passionate souls would continue where he left off.
From refugee, graduate engineer and entrepreneur to forest owner, dairy farmer, shipowner and benefactor.
Werner von Seydlitz's life story is undeniably unique. Born in East Prussia (today's Kaliningrad) in 1927, he came by various detours as a refugee to Sweden in 1949 and stopped over at the Wood Research Institute in Stockholm.
The business initially consisted of exporting by-products from sawmills, such as driftwood and planing shavings as well as one-meter wood that was loaded onto railway wagons and exported to Germany for further processing into chipboards and wallboards.
Right from the start there was another area of activity in the company. A cold-rolled angle profile with an ingenious hole system was constructed. With steel bolts and a few accessories, all conceivable constructions were easily screwed together. These products eventually became the gateway to the electrical industry.
The second half of the industrialist's life revolves around Småland's forests, hunting grounds and crayfish waters, but also around the harbors and waters of the Baltic Sea.
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Wernerstiftelser
Werner von Seydlitz – a man of action
In 1975, 90,000 m² of industrial land was bought in Ekenässjön, and the preliminary study also included a runway for small aircrafts and a railway siding.
This became the base for production and at first a few products were produced. This has grown to about 2000 different products today.
Werner von Seydlitz was a great entrepreneur with a love for the local area.. The municipality honors residents who have made Vetlanda known in a positive way or who have made a great contribution.
In 2007, the "place of honor Vetlanda" was established and Werner received the award together with, among others, Lena Philipsson (artist), Jonas Claesson (bandy player) and Pelle Näver (poet) this year.
Today, his memory lives on and associations can apply for grants from his foundation which promotes sports, culture and education in Vetlanda municipality. This gives a huge boost to association life.
Farstorp's farm
Farstorp's farm, located just outside Vetlanda, came to replace the family estate that once existed in East Prussia.
In 1968, the farm was acquired together with surrounding lands. Even today, agriculture and forestry are central activities carried out on the farm, and this takes place under the auspices of the MP companies.
The farm accommodates livestock of approximately 250 animals, of which 100 to 120 are dairy cows. In total, around 1,100,000 kilograms of milk are produced per year.
Werner lived here until his last days.
MP bolagen aim forward
When Werner passed away in 2016, he sent a final wish:
"We shall be successful for at least 100 years after the day of my death"
So we have the road laid out before us.