Højbygaard Sugar Factory

The Højbygaard Sugar Factory complex was listed as a National Industrial Site in 2009.

The sugar factory was constructed in 1872–74 by the Erhard and Johan Ditlev Frederiksen under the name Sukkerfabrikken Lolland.

Burmeister & Wain provided the large boilers, and the brothers arranged for the planned railway between Maribo and Rødby to swing by the estate with a stop at nearby Holeby.

The sugar beets were transported in open wagons drawn by horses (a standard gauge side track from Holeby Station was constructed in 1875).

It also turned out to be more difficult than expected to convince local farmers to grow sugar beets.

Johan Ditlev Frederiksen emigrated to America, where he achieved success in the dairy industry.

Founded at the initiative of Carl Frederik Tietgen in 1872, De Danske Sykkerfabrikker had already obtained a dominant position on the Danish market.

[3] The railway network on the property was upgraded and expanded in 1894, and a small steam locomotive was purchased from WG Bagnall in Stafford, England.

[1] The Højbygaard Sugar Factory complex has now been converted into offices, a hotel and conference centre operated under the name Factorylodge and the Visual Climate Center, an interpretive centre dedicated to climate, energy and environmental issues.