In 1913 young Johann Hefel entered the Hefel & Co textile company which had been founded by his uncle in 1907. Young Johann's exceptional flair for textiles and entrepreneurial talent soon became apparent. As the nephew and successor of Josef Anton Hefel, he embodied the energy of the founder and of the second generation of the HEFEL family. With courage, determination and a pioneering spirit the young entrepreneur confronted the difficult times during the First World War and the years of poverty and unrest which followed. In 1924 Johann took on all responsibilities of the Hefel textile factories as their sole owner.
With the determination to produce only best quality products and enthusiasm for new technologies he built one of Europe's most modern weaving mills in 1936. It is thanks to his talent for exceptional textiles and his entrepreneurial flair that the company remains the leading innovator in the bedding market to this day.