Farbenfabrik Wilhelm Brauns, Industrial color manufacturing plant in Quedlinburg, Germany

Farbenfabrik Wilhelm Brauns is a factory site on the north side of Harzweg 12, south of Quedlinburg's old town. The surviving buildings date from 1930 and were built to plans by Hermann Baranke: a broad administration block along the street, a cubic, stepped massing, and a small tower marking the works entrance to the west. Etched glass panes face the street on the ground floor, and an original meeting hall survives inside.

The factory operated at Harzweg from 1890, when founder Wilhelm Brauns introduced aniline dyes for household use, making it possible to dye laundry at home. Around 1920 the company employed 370 people in Quedlinburg and ran branches at home and abroad. After the Second World War Brauns's heirs started a new aniline dye factory in Munich, moved to Bad Aibling in 1952 and merged in 1969 with Gebr. Heitmann of Warburg to form Brauns-Heitmann, which still exists.

Wilhelm Brauns built his business on aniline dyes for household use, letting families dye their own laundry at home. Around 1920 the Quedlinburg works employed 370 people and ran branches at home and abroad, with brochures printed in 30 languages. After the war the heirs started again in Munich, later moving to Bad Aibling; a 1969 merger with Gebr. Heitmann of Warburg produced Brauns-Heitmann, which still trades today.

The factory stands on the north side of Harzweg at number 12, south of Quedlinburg's old town. The entrance to the works lies west of the broad administration building, marked by a small tower. The building was empty and in urgent need of repair as of 2013, so expect to view it from the street.

The company published product brochures in approximately 30 different languages and established branches in other countries, reflecting the reach of this Quedlinburg factory. This international approach was unusual for a mid-sized German industrial business of that era.