Groz-Beckert

Groz-Beckert KG
Limited partnership
Founded 1852
Headquarters Albstadt, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany
Key people
 Dr. Thomas Lindner, Chairman of the Executive Board
Revenue Group: 628 mil. EUR (2015)[1]
Number of employees
 Headquarters: 2,026 (2015)[1]
Group: 7,807 (2015)[1]
Website www.groz-beckert.com
Groz-Beckert headquarters

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 2015 the group of companies had around 7,800 employees, of which 2,026 worked at the headquarters in Albstadt. Groz-Beckert is the largest employer of the Zollernalbkreis. In the business year 2015 the company generated a turnover of 628 mil. Euro.[2]

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, Belgium, 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).[3] Since 1996 the company is chaired by Dr. Thomas Lindner (born 1951), a descendant of one of the founders. From 2010 to 2013 Lindner was president of the VDMA.[4]

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":

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.

At ITMA 2015, Groz-Beckert will present innovative products and services as well as its new booth concept with machines made of acrylic glass and for the first time, showcase its carding division.[5]

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.

Groz-Beckert in Albstadt-Ebingen, view from Schlossfelsen
The Groz-Beckert premises in Ebingen, view from Riedhalde

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Preliminary financial statement" (Website). Groz-Beckert KG. Retrieved 3 February 2016.
  2. ↑ "Facts and Figures". Groz-Beckert-Webseite. 2016-02-03. Retrieved 2016-02-03.
  3. ↑ "Locations". Groz-Beckert-Webseite. Retrieved 2014-12-08.
  4. ↑ Karsten Langer (2004-08-05). "Familie Lindner: Die Nadel-Pioniere". Manager Magazin. Retrieved 2014-01-08.
  5. ↑ "Groz-Beckert to present latest products & services at ITMA". BanglaApparel.com. 6 September 2015. Retrieved 9 September 2015.

External links

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