Imagine that the only electrical appliances in your household are: Floor lamp, radio, refrigerator and Iron. Unimaginable?

Not at all, because at the beginning of the 1950s, this was the equipment of a typical household. And this is where the story of today's Elektrotechnik Schildgen GmbH.

Equipped with a bicycle, a work bag and the electrical equipment tied tightly to the luggage carrier, we carried out all the work required by our customers (many of whom are still loyal to us today), whose electrical installations usually only comprised one lamp connection, light switch and one socket per room. Back then, appointments were entered in pencil in an appointment book. All this is unthinkable by today's standards.

In the years that followed, the demand for comfort and equipment in an apartment or house increased. Many modern electrical appliances found their way into homes and had to be supplied with electricity. Existing electrical installations had to be extended and new, modern systems built.

The store in the Zülpicher Str. 311 in Cologne-Sülz, dessen ursprüngliche Verkaufstheke 2016 liebevoll restauriert wurde und noch heute als Theke dient, war eine wahre Fundgrube für Lampen, Lampenschirme und elektrische Haushaltsgeräte. Ende der 60er Jahre gab es für Richard, den jüngsten Sohn der Eheleute Schildgen, auf die Frage: “Was willst Du denn mal werden, wenn du groß bist?” immer nur eine Antwort: „Elektriker!“

The way there was Richard Schildgen After graduating from high school, it was clear: 1978 Start of training as an electrician, after 3 years as a journeyman, master craftsman's school and graduation as a Master electrician - and that was also the starting signal for the training company; training continues to this day.

Cable television arrives in Cologne in 1987. Here too, Elektro Schildgen was one step ahead. The first SAT systems were built - the very first one is still in operation today.

Technical development has progressed rapidly. Today, appointments are managed online, further and advanced training in the areas of Data network, burglar alarm systems, EIB/KNX systems (Smart Home) are completed, as are the necessary further training courses in the areas of Lighting and LED technology.