On May 2, 1922, Wilhelm Dornbusch (1890-1955) ventured into self-employment despite troubled times and economic crises and founded the “Modellschreinerei Wilhelm Dornbusch” in a former stable in Happerschoß. He builds foundry models for local manufacturers of agricultural machinery, but also for companies in Cologne, such as the Deutz AG gas engine factory. He made his first customer appointments by bicycle.

The beginnings as a foundry were still strongly characterized by muscle power. His wife Maria lends a hand with the delivery of early models by handcart and right at the beginning Josef Bruder, the first apprentice, joins the workshop.