The Founding
The founding of the Etschel & Meyer company by Christian Etschel and Karl Meyer on Febr. 19, 1919 has had a lasting influence on the city of Hof and its people. In the first years they receive their well drilling contracts from the field of agriculture. More orders of authorities, mainly the Bavarian Water Supply Office in Munich, follow.

Family Company
In 1923, son Heinrich completes his civil engineering studies with excellent marks. Gustav, the second son, gains practical experience at water supply plants and well drilling sites, completes a degree in mechanical engineering in Nuremberg and goes to work for his father. The third son, Georg, starts working for the company already at the age of 17 after completing secondary school. As a bookkeeper he cares for the order of the company finances and the organization of the office work.
In 1928, Karl Meyer leaves the company as a partner by mutual consent. He dies in 1934. His name remains part of the company name to this day.
The unusually dry summers of 1928 and 1929 are the turning point for the drilling company with its now 12 drilling sites. Despite stiff competition the company gets orders from Saxony and Thuringia. After 10 years the company is free of debt.
As from 1942, the company has to "volunteer" its total of 95 drilling rigs to help eliminate war damage in the disputed territories. After the end of the war only 2 drilling rigs are left for the reconstruction of the company.