When Carl Haver moved the company from Hohenlimburg to Oelde, he was only three. He was born in Oelde, attended school here and in Gütersloh, completed a banking apprenticeship and later worked in an export business in Hamburg and then in London. At the beginning of the First World War, the 21-year-old received the devastating news that his 37-year-old brother Walther – who had already succeeded his father in the company – had been killed in action in France. At first, Fritz had to stand his ground on the Western Front and as a fighter pilot and artillery observer.
After the war, he joined the management team alongside his brother Erich, replacing his brother Walther. At that time, there was still no clear distinction between the company’s Machinery Division and Wire Weaving Mill – nor in the responsibilities of the managing directors. Although wire looms had already been built under an American licence before 1925, the Machinery Division was only founded in 1925 when Fritz Haver learned on one of his trips to America that a European licensee was being sought for newly developed packing machines. Fritz Haver travelled to Serbia and the Black Sea to visit cement factories in order to win them as customers for the packing machines. In 1930, Fritz Haver brought back the plans for Niagara vibrating screens from America, which – like the packing machines – were then built and continuously optimised in Oelde.
The brothers Erich and Fritz complemented each other perfectly as the second generation during the period of construction and expansion. When the Second World War broke out, Haver & Boecker was already one of the leading companies in its sector. But Fritz Haver had to go to war again. After the collapse of the Nazi regime, he worked tirelessly to avert the threat of dismantling and to rebuild the factory. After the death of his brother Erich, son Eitel Fritz and nephew Rudolf Haver joined the senior as the third generation. This enabled him to become increasingly involved in committees and associations that greatly valued his skills and experience.
At the age of 64, he became the first Protestant mayor of the town of Oelde against only two votes. During his ten years in office, he initiated key decisions. The school system, old and sick people, housing and culture were particularly close to his heart. The honorary citizenship of the town of Oelde and the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany were testimony to his commitment.