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In 1890's, B Grimm and Company was established to import
goods into the kingdom from Europe. The office was set up
in Pakong Talad from 1881-1912. During that period, the company
was commissioned to supply the Royal Siamese Armed Forces
with Uniforms and Swords. The company was also the main importer
of colored tiles, which were used to beautify the temple of
the Emerald Buddha.
In 1900, B. Grimm was awarded the Royal Garuda emblem, for
its long service to the Kingdom and to the Royal Household.
In 1903, a German Pharmacist was hired to manage Siam Dispensary
by the name of Adolf Link. Mr Link was made Managing Partner.
During this period, the company grew and had to later moved
to a larger premise in Pratoo Samyord district in 1912. This
also provided the office a prime location to be closer to
the trading and retailing area.
King Vajiravudh ascended to the throne in 1910 and continued
to develop the kingdom after his father's initiation. The
kingdom continued to prosper tremendously in the area of foreign
trade. Mr. Adolf Link expanded the office and moved to Maha
Chai Road in 1928. The company expanded into other industries
and became a major contractor to construct radio stations,
shoe factories, paper plants and a manufacturing facility
to produce gas masks for the Royal Siamese Armed Forces.
In 1932, Mr Adolf's Link's son, Mr Herbert Link came to Bangkok
to join his father to help with the operation of B. Grimm,
as Europe was facing the Depression. He and his wife , Mrs.
Alma Link became very involved with the Thai society and welfare.
In 1939 Mr Adolf Link was appointed Siam's Honorary Consul
General in Hamburg. Siam's name was changed to Thailand during
the period of strong European dominance in Asia.
B. Grimm continued to operate its company, even though it
did not prosper due to the current World War crisis.
In 1950, His Majesty King Bhumibhol Adulyadej ascended to
the throne. It was after World War II, when Thailand could
continue on with her development and expansion. B. Grimm became
the leading contractor to assist in building major dams, airports,
highways and bridges.
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In 1953, Dr. Gerhard Link, son of Mr Adolf Link became
Honorary Consul General of Thailand in Hamburg, succeeding
his father. Mr. Herbert Link continued to make the name
for B. Grimm and moved the office to a more commercialized
area on Nakornsawan Road in 1955. He continued to assist
in introducing more technological advancement in to
Thailand. B. Grimm participated in many key projects
through the next two decades. Its contracting business
was highlighted by the successful completion of the
Bangkok Planetarium with which B. Grimm had helped to
install the latest optical equipment from Carl Zeiss
Germany. B Grimm also diversified into air-conditioning
System Installation, with commissioned projects with
the Royal Palaces and the former infamous Erawan Hotel.
Since then, the company has installed air-conditioning
systems in most of the major monumental sites built
in Bangkok during the past 30 years.
In 1967, as the business prospered and the city expanded
outward, B. Grimm moved its office to another larger
location on New Petchburi Road. The office remained
there for the next 28 years, while businesses grew to
include different joint-venture projects. In 1975, the
Huamark Factory was erected for B. Grimm to assemble
and manufacture different power and mechanical equipment.
The company also formed a partnership with with Carrier
Corporation,USA in 1984 to expand into the market of
air-conditioning units.
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Mrs Alma Link was bestowed the title of Khunying by HM the
King, in 1975, for her continued charitable work for various
foundations, such as Siriwattana Cheshire Foundation, Thai
Red Cross and Phud Hong Leper Foundation to name a few. She
became the first foreign lady in Thailand to have received
such honor.
In 1988, Mr Herbert Link and Dr. Gerhard Link passed the
management responsibilities to Mr Harald Link, son of Dr.
Gerhard Link. Mr. Harald Link became the company's Chief Executive
Officer. He diversified into other business opportunities,
such as in the areas of Heathcare, Engineering, Cosmetics
Retailing and Real Estate. Different subsidiaries were established
leading to the formation of B. Grimm Group of Companies.
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In 1990, Alma Link building in Chidlom was built under
the intention to house the entire B. Grimm Group of
Companies under one roof, as the office on Petchburi
was becoming too small. However, the site was proven
to be a fruitful site and became fully occupied by business
tenants. Mr. Harald Link decided that the factory in
Hua Mark had to be moved to Nong Jok and used the land
in Hua Mark to build the company's new office, Dr. Gerhard
Link Building in 1995. The building is still the present
head office.
In 1989, Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel contacted B. Grimm
to install all of its airconditioning systems. B. Grimm
became known to the market as the leader in modern engineering
technologies and became involved and associated with
projects for many reputable sites, such as Thai Wah
Tower, Thai Airways International Head Office, The Shangrila
Hotel Bangkok, The Dusit Laguna Hotel, Phuket, Siam
Commercial Bank Head Quarter, Charn Isara Tower, Thai
Farmers Bank Head Quarter to name a few.
The Link Family is still very active today in several
charities and foundations, following the initiatives
of Mrs. Alma Link, to which the building in Chidlom
has been named after. Mr Harald Link sits as the Honorary
Member of two Foundations, The Siriwattana Cheshire
Foundation (supporting 5 Homes for the Handicaps), The
Princess Mothers's Charities Fund of Thailand (providing
scholarships to Thai nursing students) and the family
supports two schools in the rural area, which are B.
Grimm School in Sa Keow Province and A.H. School in
Petchburi Province. Both Schools are being managed and
run by the Ministry of Education.
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