About Us – Manufactory Ulbricht | Handicrafts from Seiffen since 1771
Manufaktur Ulbricht – Craftsmanship from the Heart of the Ore Mountains
For over 250 years, the Ulbricht family has been crafting handmade wooden art and original Ore Mountain folk art in the toy village of Seiffen. What began in 1771 with Samuel Gottlob Ulbricht as a small turner's workshop is today one of Germany's oldest and most traditional wooden art manufacturers.
Our History – From Miners to Wood Artists
With the decline of Seiffen's tin mining in the 18th century, our ancestors were forced to find new paths. Samuel Gottlob Ulbricht (1771–1837) was the first turner in our family — laying the foundation for a tradition that lives on to this day.
Over the generations, the craft was refined and the product range expanded. Around 1880, August Hermann Ulbricht produced the first "Seiffen Riders". His son Ewald Ulbricht made chalked and painted roller riders after the First World War. Klaus Ulbricht, who led the family business until 2000, shaped the now world-famous climbing figures — mountaineers, climbing monkeys, and many other characters that delight children and adults alike.
Since 2000, Katrin and Peter Ulbricht have been leading the manufactory in the seventh generation — with the same commitment to quality and craftsmanship as their ancestors.
Our Values – What Drives Us
Craftsmanship with Soul
Each of our products is created with a high proportion of manual labor. We exclusively use local woods and traditional processing techniques that have been passed down for generations in Seiffen. No product leaves our workshop without careful inspection by experienced master craftsmen and employees.
100% Original from Seiffen
All our products are exclusively manufactured in the toy village of Seiffen — the heart of Ore Mountain craftsmanship. This means for you: genuine craftsmanship with true origin, no mass-produced goods, no imitations.
Sustainability and Responsibility
We work with regional suppliers and focus on sustainable materials. Our wooden products are durable, repairable, and often passed down through generations — the opposite of a throwaway culture.
Tradition Meets Modernity
We preserve old craft techniques and at the same time develop our product range further. New motifs, new designs, and modern gift packaging such as our laser-engraved wooden chip boxes combine tradition with contemporary design.
The Climbing Figure – A Signature Product of Manufaktur Ulbricht
The climbing figure — affectionately known as "Klettermax" — is the best-known and most characteristic product of our manufactory. When you pull the small ball, the figure climbs up the rope — a simple, fascinating principle that has delighted children and adults for decades.
Our climbing figures are available in many designs: mountaineer, firefighter, sailor, clown, climbing monkey, cat, and many more — all handcrafted in Seiffen from local woods.
Custom Climbing Figures as Corporate Gifts
The climbing figure has been a popular and high-quality customer gift for companies for years. We produce custom climbing figures in your company color, with your logo, or as a character fitting your industry — for example:
- Firefighter for fire departments and aid organizations
- Mountaineer for outdoor and sports brands
- Custom figures on request for special occasions
The climbing figure as a corporate gift combines originality, sustainability, and genuine craftsmanship — and is guaranteed to be remembered. Minimum order quantities and individual inquiries are welcome via email or our contact form.
Visit Us in Seiffen
Our manufactory is located in the toy village of Seiffen in the Ore Mountains — the mecca of German wooden art. We welcome every visitor and are happy to show you our workshop and current product range.
Manufaktur Ulbricht
Owner Katrin Ulbricht
Toy village Seiffen, Ore Mountains
Craftsmanship · Seiffen · since 1771
