In 1863, Dr. Wilhelm Kalle began building his company in Wiesbaden-Biebrich with a workforce of just three employees. As he worked alongside them on the factory floor, Dr. Kalle gained first-hand knowledge of the problems they and their families faced, especially when it came to financial matters and health. With the company growing quickly, he established a workers savings bank, a health insurance scheme, an “honorary council” (forerunner of the present-day workers council) and, in 1900, a workers pension fund.