Groz-Beckert
 | |
| Limited partnership | |
| Founded | 1852 |
| Headquarters | Albstadt, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany |
Key people | Dr. Thomas Lindner, Chairman of the Executive Board |
| Revenue | Group: 571 mil. EUR (2014)[1] |
Number of employees |
Headquarters: 2,084 (2014)[1] Group: 7,628 (2014)[1] |
| Website | www.groz-beckert.com |
The Groz-Beckert KG is part of the Groz-Beckert Group based in Albstadt-Ebingen in Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany. Groz-Beckert is the world's leading provider of industrial needles, precision components and fine tools as well as systems and services for the production and joining of textiles. Founded in 1852, the company is still family-owned. On 31 December 2013 the group of companies had almost 8,000 employees, of which 2,150 worked at the headquarters in Albstadt. Groz-Beckert is the largest employer of the Zollernalbkreis. In the business year 2013 the company generated a turnover of 568 mil. Euro.[1]
History
In 1852 Theodor Groz opened a store for toys and fashion accessories with an attached needle workshop in Ebingen, today part of Albstadt. In the same year he produced needles for warp knitting and hosiery production for the first time. In 1871 Ernst Beckert founded the identically-named company "Ernst Beckert" in Eibenberg, near Chemnitz, for the production of needles. In 1884 Ernst Beckert relocated his needle factory to Chemnitz. Already in 1888 Theodor Groz & Söhne founded their own health insurance fund for their employees – the precursor of today's BKK Groz-Beckert. In 1937 the two companies merged, laying the foundation of the present group of companies. At that time, Walther Groz was the Head of the Executive Board of the company. Today, besides the headquarters there are further production sites all over the world (Germany, Czech Republic, Portugal, India, China, Vietnam, USA). Also sales affiliates can be found around the globe (Germany, Czech Republic, Portugal, Italy, France, Great Britain, Mexico, USA, India, China, South Korea, Indonesia, Japan, Singapore).[2] Since 1996 the company is chaired by Dr. Thomas Lindner (* 1951), a descendant of one of the founders. From 2010 to 2013 Lindner was president of the VDMA.[3]
Range of products
Groz-Beckert is producer of industrial needles and system parts for the knitting, apparel, shoe, nonwovens, and carpet industry (gauge parts tufting). In addition to that, the range of products includes weaving accessories like healds, heald frames, warp stop motions, and drop wires. In the beginning, these products were sold under the name "Grob by Groz-Beckert", now they go by "Groz-Beckert", and also machines for weaving preparation are part of the range. With its product group Customized Precision Components (CPC), formerly Ceramic Punching Components, Groz-Beckert went into a new field of application of precision tools. The products are carbide tools, punches, and dies for special machines as well as precision micro-components. Since the end of 2006 also cylinders and dials for circular knitting machines are produced (former SMC). Under the name of "SMG", another line of business produces and sells plastic ball bearings and components as well as first class plastic technology products. Also the brands "Eisbär by Groz-Beckert", Schmeing", "Knotex", and "Grob by Groz-Beckert" belong to the group. Today the following products are sold under the name of "Groz-Beckert":
- Knitting machine parts (knitting needles, system parts, cylinders, dials, cylinder change system)
- Weaving machine parts (healds, heald frames, warp stop motions, drop wires, machines for weaving preparation)
- Parts for nonwoven production (felting and structuring needles, jet strips, card clothing, service, needle board logistics system)
- Gauge parts tufting (tufting needles, modules, loopers, knives, reed fingers)
- Sewing machine parts (sewing machine needles, shoe machine needles, needle holder system)
- Further products (customized precision components (CPC), plastic products (SMG))
Research and development
In 2010 the company inaugurated its Technology and Development Center (TEZ) at its headquarters in Albstadt. Laboratories, a training center, development offices and seminar rooms as well as machinery for all important textile production processes are placed on an area of around 25,000 square meters.
Social commitment
In September 2013 Groz-Beckert inaugurated its Health and Education Center (GEBIZ) at its headquarters in Albstadt. Besides the day care center "Kita Malesfelsen" and the private elementary school "Grundschule Malesfelsen", the GEBIZ also includes the "Vitalzentrum Malesfelsen", a health center for its employees. It provides a prevention and training area with an attached wellness and relaxation room. In addition to that, the vital center includes a public physiotherapeutic office.
In total, Groz-Beckert invested around 17.5 mil. Euro into this project.
External links
- Groz-Beckert Webseite
- "Experience – an eventful history Geschichte" (PDF; 1,08 MB) (in German). Groz-Beckert. 2013-10-14. Retrieved 2014-01-08.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Facts and Figures" (WEBSITE) (in German). Groz-Beckert KG. Retrieved 29 April 2014.
- ↑ name="Locations">"Locations". Groz-Beckert-Webseite (in German). Retrieved 2014-12-08.
- ↑ Karsten Langer (2004-08-05). "Familie Lindner: Die Nadel-Pioniere". Manager Magazin (in German). Retrieved 2014-01-08.