The history of the largest stocking and sock factory in Western Europe, Jansen de Wit from Schijndel, will be brought back to life forty years after the bankruptcy. With a theater piece and a special exhibition, Theatergroep De Wildemannen commemorates the iconic factory that was the heart of the region for decades. “When I cycle past the place of the sock, I still think back to that time,” says former employee of the Sjan Russens factory.
An old machine, dozens of socks and stockings and a lot of photos are given a place in the Spectrum Cultural Center in Schijndel. Volunteers let memories of a once largest employer of the wider area come to life. “We have been working on a theater piece about Jansen de Wit for some time,” says the production leader of Theatergroep De Wildemannen.
In addition to the fictional piece, which is about working-class families of the sock and stocking factory, there is also an exhibition. “Because it still lives very much in Schijndel and the surrounding area. We made a call to people if they had things and photos. We responded well to that.”
Sjan and Tiny Russens are former sock employees, as the factory was popularly called. The things are very recognizable for them. “I started there when I was 16, that was in 1961. I worked there for about eight years, because after that I got married and I had children,” says Sjan.
“The first three to four years I worked as a sorter in the department of the tights and majos,” she recalls. “I sorted on errors and holes. Later I went to the Vormerij. There I made sure they took shape to do them to do a shape.”
It was a lot of working in the warm factory. “That steam engine is running at a rapid pace and gave a lot of heat. I did the work, because you got a surcharge for it because of the heavy work. I was allowed to keep those few extra cents.”
Her husband, Tiny Russens, started working in the factory in 1969. “I came from Philips and from there I was able to start at Jansen de Wit. I first came in a knit department and made parts for the machines there.”
“At one point I had learned enough and I became a mechanic,” he says. “In the end I was a turner. That means that I started adjusting machines for new models of socks. I made the machine so that the socks were good.”
“It was hard work, but also cozy.”
On heyday, about two thousand people worked in the sock factory. “The sock was a household name in Schijndel and distant surroundings. Many people from the village worked there, but even from Spain.”
“It was hard work, but also cozy,” his wife adds. “The collaboration with colleagues among themselves was fantastic. We had to finish a certain number. When someone had finished his or her number, you started working for the other. You helped each other.”
Jansen de Wit went bankrupt in 1985. A year later the factory was demolished. Only a park and some statues commemorate that important period for the village. “If I cycle past the place of the sock, I still think back to that time.”
“That’s why I like that they bring it back to life now. Nice to see where you used to be a lot,” adds Sjan. “It’s the right time now. We don’t have to wait any longer. Now the people are still there who worked there,” Marijke Habraken concludes.
For those who want to take a look at the exhibition, you can visit the Spectrum in Schijndel on Sunday 28 September.
Socks and stocking factory Jansen de Wit
Everything started in Tongelre in 1830. Martinus Jansen starts a small stocking breeze there.
Tens of years later the company is growing considerably. With the arrival of Philips in Eindhoven, however, it is becoming increasingly difficult to get to staff. Another location is being sought, found in 1914 in Schijndel.
The factory is being built and soon the number of employees increases considerably. In 1953, more than half of the working population of the village work in the factory. In heyday there are around 2000 people at work at Jansen de Wit.
