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Leo Hubert Maria (Leo) Schunck, 1910-2001

Leo Schunck 1935
Leo Schunck

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He was born in the old building with the tower on April 12, 1910. On the flat roof he loved animals and he rode on his children’s bicycle. Leo often played on the castle Haaren and Hoenshuis to Voerendaal, owned by his maternal grandparents (Cloot). There, in the garage of the military police horses was probably his interest in horses.
He went to the nursery in the Klomp Street, the primary school in the Nobelstraat and the preparatory year at secondary school. He then became the Episcopal College Weert placed, because his parents had connections there. Leo followed the trade school students between the priest. Rather, he went to a boarding school in Belgium or to Rolduc. Finally he took the Higher School of Textiles in Enschede. After graduating he worked in the case of his parents, and he was 18 months compulsory military service. He followed the officer under military administration to the Chasse-barracks in Breda. In the nearby Julianakazerne he practiced his hobby horse. As part of his training he ran nine months internship at garrisons 92).
In the beginning, he helped clients in the matter. In the thirties, when Peter decided to sell clothing, Leo was head of procurement and was consequently much traveling. He was a board member of the purchasing organization Fame in Amsterdam, which Schunck was the largest participant 93). In 1944 he worked for the National Office for distribution by the textile trade (Distex). Later, he was Liaison Officer in the rank of 2nd lieutenant in 13th. Reg.Infantry, part Headquarters 94). In 1945 Leo was apparently director, at least he signed a letter, as director 95).In 1960 he succeeded his father, and he formed with Chris Dohmen-Schunck two directors 96).
The Leo Schunck era was characterized by a continuation of the line of his father with a rapid growth followed by stagnation and finally sale of the company. Like his father, he brought great showcase devices. He tried even a lion dressage to win 97).
In 1961 worked in Heerlen between 480 and 500 and in Geleen between 120 and 125 persons 98). The street issue was the oldest case of Heerlen in an unfavorable competitive arrived. New business had established itself in Heerlen. Mn Grand Bazar proved a formidable competitor. V & D had a modern new building. For Schunck turned aside the new Glaspaleis not possible. The outdated decor could not be renewed, it no longer met the requirements of a modern department store. There were increasing expenses incurred in connection with the decentralization due to the lack of space in the Glass Palace. To the lack of space to turn, the buildings were Saroleastraat 14; Markt 1, Kerkplein 11, 12, 14; Bongerd 14, 16; Emmaplein 17; Kerkplein 1; Emmastraat 13 uses 99).
Eventually could be built, not according to the original plan near the Glass Palace on the Bongerd, but “to break&Rdquo;, where a new shopping center was realized 100). It also meant the end of the protracted street matter.
101)
Leo made ??extensive study of the new supermarket being and on traveling including to Sweden and America. After a construction period of only 1.5 years in the first southern Dutch shopping boulevard metropolitan allure, on 16 September 1964 the new shop opened in the presence of Governor and Mayor Gijzels Rooy. The opening led to traffic chaos 102). In his opening speech, Leo could not refrain from pointing out the "almost insurmountable bureaucracy." 103) In the new case were all new articles available. In the basement a self-service supermarket, 104) on the ground floor: a department with paperbacks, stationery, pastry and confectionery, perfume, bags and leather goods, on the 4th floor finally the department furnishing fabric and a lunchroom 105). The costs amounted to a fl 30000 000 guilders, but it was also the largest home-were in the southern Netherlands 106).
After modernization would in the Glass Palace Schuncks furnishings are housed. After this, a reorganization and restructuring of the remaining buildings place 107).

  1. The Market Hall in Neerlandia Saroleastraat was extended to the former Limburgia the Bongerd. The Market Hall was designed as a self.
  2. The beds and blanket sale of the former Limburgia building was moved to the Glass Palace.
  3. Demolition of buildings on the Emmaplein, namely the property Savelberg, the old cafe Lindelauf and plots, which at that time the furniture was placed.
  4. Demolition of all buildings acquired after 1945 and between Bongerd Kerkplein, namely the former Hamburger Buffet, building Stienstra, property and hotel Keulaerts Cloot.

In Heerlen, the company had 700 men time staff, in Geleen 125 108).
in 1965 celebrated its 90th anniversary. In the 13 windows of the new building was the old boardwalk Heerlen realistically portrayed through paintings, produced by the window dressers in cooperation with the municipal archives 109).
With branches in Geleen (Highway South, warehouse), Heerlen (Marktstraat 1/Saroleastraat 14, Market Hall, retail trade in textile goods), Kerkplein 5 (retail furniture, home textiles, garden, reed, and camping furniture, oriental carpets and furniture and housing upholsterer company) was Schunck an important entrepreneur.
In 1969, Leo in an interview some views on the policies and the future. Large and small specialized companies had the future. Those who are not specialized, had no future. Schunck was a specialist, and the power lay in the personal ministry of the clients. Cooperation plans, ie cooperative were not there, but were not rejected. The supermarket ran well and got national recognition. The motto was: quality always wins. Schunck came with weekly specials: an island in a sea of loss of profit. Schunck is a department store, but emphasized the bedarfsbündelunggedachte: no shop in shop, but a case where the right supplies could choose the desired product [as usual] in a glasshouse according to the fashion of traditional departments. Central to this was the personal ministry. Cash and carry this country would not be long lived. They would probably be turned to the American discount house, which Schunck 15 years earlier been realized in the Market Hall. The Promenade-new building was teething overcome. The new supermarket departments and catering industry flourished. Schunck used an electronic information or computer system 110).
Like his father was Leo thinking of business expansion. From 1969 to this was hard. Leo would possibly in conjunction with or through a Holding with the Grand Bazar Schunck expand, whereby, a possible management of Leo Grand Bazar Netherlands and the president-director of Schunck in the offing would lie, while son Peter a executive chair in the combination-Schunck Grand Bazar Netherlands envisaged. There was even a step towards a Schunck Netherlands. Gradually the plan began Leo, like his father, to take early action to secure the succession. Initially, he thought his son Peter. To Schunck empire to his ideas to expand, it was necessary, in possession of all the [family] shares. These could then be inserted into a still forming cooperation partnership in which an intended successor also a function would get. He would continue to work until retirement age. To ensure continuity and follow-up to ensure, in short, the family business afloat for the next generation, he was willing to great financial sacrifices. The shareholders saw this with sorrow 111).
Unfortunately stakes around 1969 various external factors on the head, which were not foreseen. In 1969, problems arose with the sales, partly due to the introduction of VAT. In the mining area were German visitors back. Mines were closed, incomes fell by as much as 20%. There was a huge surplus of retail space in Limburg: almost 40% of the floor area in South Limburg was to disappear. All this would eventually have major consequences for the firm, which Leo and Mrs. Dohmen for several years before had predicted 112).
The subsidiary NV Wassen was April 15, 1969 sold to NV Vinke 113). A reorganization made ??the supermarket profitable again. There was an aggressive sales policy. Due to the poor results of the department store was divested to the supermarket Coop South Limburg. This company opened however Schuncks Supermarket near a discount store, the supermarket which many customers lost. The loss of parking spaces by the realization of Promenade II was for many causes customers to Schunck Supermarket to ignore 114). in 1970 was related to the insurance a sprinkler system to be built and the sale was seriously disturbed. And although the turnover compared to 1969 increased, was unfortunately in 1970 an even greater loss. The causes of the losses were too few sales and soaring wage data 115).
For all its merits, the realization of the Glass Palace in the difficult years and for his interest in the cultural life in Heerlen, said the mayor, was Leo appointed Knight in the Order of Orange Nassau 116).
It was recognized that the necessary revenues to return a profit to work could not be achieved, particularly as a result of the decline in the mining industry, the overbewinkeling of Heerlen, the enormous competition, Stay away from the German customers and the exodus of people from the mining area. To turn the tide action would be taken. Chris Dohmen-Schunck and Leo would put things in order: in the lunchroom, the bakery closed, the bra utensils should be looked at, there was in fact no insight into the bra utensils, while "Käller money like water ’in the window / publicity, the position of the chief window dresser in reconsidered, in the order administration three forces would disappear. These records should be performed on the computer, the staff was to be investigated. For people who failed a solution was sought.
However, advisors came to the conclusion that on the matter of decoration and efficacy much to criticize was that "this can not make money. ... ergo, cooperation by the Beehive rejected, a negative result is a foregone conclusion. Schunck can best liquidate, to avoid an even greater loss. " 117) The estate was out. Banks stated requirements for any assistance. Thus, a new SA Schunck with a new owner to come. The old SA would consist of the Market Hall and glass building with possibly the cinema. The branches Heerlen and Geleen would focus on clothing. The cinema, supermarket and lunchroom would be rented out to third parties, where a merger with a third were considered. Also served the business to be reorganized. An independent advisers did not go down 118).
diligently sought a partner, where the continuity of Schunck and guaranteed employment should continue. Fa Kreymborg and Etos were initially candidates to parts of the building to rent, but a third party was not found. In February 1972 found the first contacts with V & D location. V & D would be building on the Raadhuisplein leave and wish to convey to the Promenade, where redundancies were unavoidable 119). In 1972 the knot. The Glass Palace was leased to the ABP, the hasty sale also represented losses 120). But V & D fished behind the net, because ultimately wanted Chris Dohmen-Schunck the case continue, if it had all [Leo’s] shares possessed.She bought all the shares of the family, in return asked her personal assets as collateral, making the loan to the bank remained. For the latter, she even went to the Ministry of Economic Affairs in The Hague gone. She was now 65 years all owner and director. Leo was fired and went prematurely retired. As of May 1, 1972 Leo explained his position. From then joined Chris Dohmen-Schunck as director, while LF Verleisdonk was appointed Deputy Director. Leo retained an option to the Market Hall 121).
Many mourned with Leo along 122). In a letter to and classmate of the textile school gave Leo not only economic factors, but put the own hearts for the decline: the case was made too large, he had to stay in the fashion and therein to specialize. The store could not compete with the competitors. Service Departments as curtain dressmakers and decorators were too big and too expensive, and the delivery service, computer and management. Droopy he thought of the carefree life back, since his studies were the only worry ... 123).
July 14, 1972 by Leonie Maria Christina Dohmen-Schunck following the decision of the General Meeting of Shareholders of 24 April 1972 the notarial NV converted into a limited company with limited liability 124).
Leo’s attempts in the previous three years, in order to save the company - by all (family) shares to buy, merge or collaborate with others - had failed. Actually, he saved the company by not to hold on to his concept, but by its shares 125). Of the fate of the BV after 1972 are no records have survived.
ABP in 1973 the new user of the Glass Palace. Later showed the town of Heerlen interest in the property 126).
Verleisdonk opened a new store, a specialty store for ladies garments, located at the Town Hall 23-25 ??in Geleen. The old store was out of the barrel hit and was abandoned, which meant dismissal for a number of staff.
127)
In 1984 the company celebrated the 110-year anniversary, the book "Heerlen from town to town" was issued, stating, that the firm next Verleisdonk and Chris Dohmen-Schunck also a son of her led 128).
Because of the continuity of the company sought Schunck connection with a strong partner. In Berden, this partner. In 1989 there was a furniture department of Berden on 6000 m2 in the department store Schunck. In 1995, Berden the entire store, including the establishment Geleen and all goods, over and - importantly - the name was retained Schunck: Berden-Schunck. From that moment led Paul Berden the matter to the Promenade 129).
Although a disaster year, meant 1972 not the end of Leo’s business career 130). He remained consistently apply for a job and tried even businesses to buy or another company to start. In addition, he blew trading AKA new life 131). Astonishingly succeeded Leo the Market Hall to purchase. Finally he led with his son Peter Peter Schunck BV and the Administration Office Peter Schunck BV, accompanied by various collaborations. From 19 September 1972 to 1 March 1981, Leo Director Peter Schunck BV 132). Finally, he was patron and board member of various associations 133).
On February 22, 2001 died Leo in a nursing home in Valkenburg 134). Leo is on the doodsprentje described as a charming person, a huge bon vivant, with attention and help for everyone, a purebred Heerle To, active in associations, who after his retirement he devoted his time to his favorite hobbies. Comes from the same archival image to the front, as mentioned before. Even after his retirement Leo further in the business field, at least until 1990, while he was still in 1988 applied for 135). For all its merits, Leo, like his father, distinguished.
136)

Peter Hubert Leo Marie (Peter), 1943 -

137 ) Peter was marksman king of St. Sebastian. (Heerlen)


92) Invnr. 495, biography
93) Invnr. 495, biography, co-founder invnr. 36, 1969 interview
94) Leo received the war and remembrance cross buckle May 1940, Invn 515; others: invnr. 501
95) 10 Invnr
96) Invnr. 36, 1969 interview
97) Invnr. 294.
98) Invnr. 111
99) Invnr. 111
100) The current Promenade. Through acquisitions and exchange with the municipality, invnrs. 105, 124, 125, 129-141, especially 133, the plan was realized, which Heerlen got a new center and Schunck are new. Old buildings were demolished, including a block on the Wall Market and near the church, invnrs. 124, 153.
101) Pierre Schunck, opposed the new plan to the Promenade and supporter of the original plan, invnr. 41
102) Invnr. 141
103) Invnr. 137 speech
104) The supermarket is described in the article article "Giant in the South" invnr. 137
105) Invnr. 141, 209
106) Invnr. 137, giant in the South.
107) The following data invnr. 141 Opening newspapers lookout on mining dated 15.9.1964
108) Invnr.137 press kit
109) Invnr. 3
110) Invnr. 36, 1969 interview
111) Invnr. 22
112) Invnr. 12 Limburg Today 1972; invnr. 36, 1972 interview
113) Invnr. 203, CPC Director for Marie-Thérèse, Chr. H. Meijer-Schunck, 1972.
114) Invnr. 365
115) Invnr. 22 Report 04/01/1971; dated 07.04.1971; invnr. 489, letter of Leo dated 04/22/1972, final.
116) Invnr. 505
117) Invnr. 25, see also figures for loss invnr. 26
118) Invnr. 25, for the cinema see invnr. 142
119) Invnr. 211, 200 men would be terminated, see invnr. 12 Limburg Today 1972; Leo mentions a number of 50 people, including his daughter Marita, purchase star boutique, but many were already gone, invnr. 489, letter of Leo dated 22.4.1972
120) Invnrs. 25, 101. A characteristic of a family business: the family works in the business.
121) Invnr. 27; invnr. 489, letter of Leo dated 04.22.1972; ent. 44
122) Invnr. 489
123) Invnr. 488
124) Invnr. 38
125) Inv. Nos. 22-25
126) Invnr. 101
127) Invnr. 203, undated newspaper article "Schunck Geleen on new paths"
128) Refer to bibliography. Again a puff of a family business: family members are involved.
129) Berden, A historical research.
130) In relation to the privacy of Peter Schunck, can not go into details are entered.
131) Reference is above the archives of the AKA
132) Invnr . 377, memo on settlement operations Markthal dated 16.08.1973; invnr. 657. Elsewhere: ".... . Retired in 1975 ... ", invnr. 571
133) Reference is this human bundle of Leo Schunck.
134) Collection devotional Heerlen City Archives, nursing, see De Limburger dated March 2, 2001
135) Namely the AKA, invnr. 351, see invnr applications. 514
136) Invnrs. 505, 515, 581, 665; newspaper obituary
137) With regard to privacy, the modest about Peter after 2043 public.