The Siepmann family, is an over 200-year-old entrepreneurial dynasty originally from Hagen, is notable for their activities in the North Rhine-Westphalian coal, iron steel industry. The family business known as Siepmann-Werke GmbH & Co KG (previously Siepmann-Werke A.-G.) was among the largest employers of the region with over 3,000 employees and a major supplier for Germany during World War I and World War II for everything made out of steel such as curb chains for tanks. Today the company is still among the largest employers in the region and has two subsidiaries, including PERSTA (industrial fittings), which not only serves Europe, but also the United States. Most innovation of the 20th century can be credited to (1902-1984) who revolutionized the industry by his international patents.