Ruscha ceramics was founded in 1905 by Georg Schardt in Rheinbach and was known as Klein & Schardt. In 1948 Rudolf Schardt (Georg's younger son) took over and renamed the factory "Ruscha". Notable designers were Ernst Borens (from 1958 - 61), Hans Welling during the mid 1950 and Adele Bolz. Heinz Siery and Jutta Johanni were responsible for many of the 60s and 70s designs. Ruscha closedin 1996.