75 years - Gummiwerk KRAIBURG celebrates anniversary

Since its foundation in 1947, the company has become one of the leading manufacturers of rubber and silicone compounds.

This year mark a special milestone for our company that is worthy of celebration: our 75 years of existence. 75 years full of experiences and memories. 75 years of successful company history. An anniversary that fills us all with joy and pride.

The story began with the development, processing and finishing of elastomer compounds which were further developed and optimized over time by people of different generations.

As well as successful company mergers, it is, above all, the employees themselves who, in the truest meaning of the words, “write history” with their high level of dedication and wealth of ideas.

Take a look at yesterday, today and tomorrow

The anniversary is an occasion for us to dive deeper into the history that brought us to where we are now, and to dare to take a look at what’s next. Our goal is to meet the needs of the current time, to solve the challenges we’re faced with and to shape the future. With our employees. And with you.

We invite you to come together with us and take a look at yesterday, today and tomorrow.

You want to congratulate us for our anniversary? Leave us a comment!

FOUNDATION YEARS – the 1940s and 50s

Gummiwerk KRAIBURG opened for business in Kraiburg-Hart in 1947. Under most difficult conditions, dismantled machine parts buried under the rubble of the Second World War were transformed into rolling mills for manufacturing rubber compounds.

1947 Legal registration of the company Gummiwerk KRAIBURG GmbH in the Traunstein commercial register. The first products included ball rubber and patching rubber for repairing tires.

From 1950 Expansion of the production operations, establishment of several representations within Germany and of the first business contacts abroad.

1957 Transformation into Gummiwerk KRAIBURG GmbH & Co. KG.

The rubber plant was built from several former bunkers. The picture was taken around 1957.

Gummiwerk KRAIBURG rubber plant in 1957.

ECONOMIC UPSWING AND EXPANSION – the 1960s

Consistent and high quality, customer service and a seamless supply were what secured the Gummiwerk a firm place on the market in the 1960s. The economic upswing phase was characterized by investments and the modernization of systems, production line expansions and capacity increases.

1963 Completion of the plans for a new hall to achieve a better production process.

1964 Gummiwerk KRAIBURG had its first successful expansion into another European country. A new plant was founded in Geretsberg/Austria.

1965 The last conversion work was completed and the new plant was put into operation.

1968 Acquisition of a new plant in Tittmoning, which is the site of KRAIBURG Elastik and KRAIBURG STRAIL today, and head office for the KRAIBURG Relastec administration.

1968 Foundation of GEZOLAN AG.

Gummiwerk KRAIBURG successfully expands into other European countries for the first time. A new plant goes into operation in Geretsberg/Austria.

THE SUCCESS STORY CONTINUES – THE 1970s

THE SUCCESS STORY CONTINUES

Gummiwerk KRAIBURG was on a constant growth trajectory. The company expanded into Switzerland with the opening of GEZOLAN AG. This growth paved the way for the later internationalization and diversification into other business areas, which are occupied by today’s divisions.

1971 Opening of a subsidiary in Switzerland, known today as GEZOLAN AG.

1976 Destruction of the factory in Geretsberg by a major fire. Just a few months later, the dedication of the workers helped to completely rebuild the plant.

1979 The establishment of KRAIBURG Corp. began with HI-Rail Corp. as the trading branch in Chicago/USA.

GROWTH AND CONSOLIDATION – the 1980s

GROWTH AND CONSOLIDATION

The 80s until the mid-90s were characterized by high investments in the existing plants, as well as developing and expanding into the different applications and markets. The increased participation in domestic and foreign trade fairs supported the company’s positive business growth. The increased numbers of employees – especially in the Waldkraiburg plant – made it necessary to build a new plant, which was opened ceremonially in October 1989.

1987 The foundation stone for the new plant was placed.

1989 Just two years after the foundation stone was placed, the company moved out of the city center and into Waldkraiburg’s industrial region. The company’s new headquarters become a symbol of the “New KRAIBURG”, which looks to the future full of creativity.

1987 Foundation stone laid for the new plant

INTERNATIONAL EXPANSION AND SITE DEVELOPMENT – the 1990s

INTERNATIONAL EXPANSION AND SITE DEVELOPMENT

Company participations in Europe and the foundation of new production facilities in America and Asia allowed the company to expand its areas of business to achieve a top position around the world.

1991 Foundation of the KRAIBURG Relastec in Salzwedel, to actively implement and anchor the developed process for the sustainable manufacture and recycling of KRAIBURG products.

1992 Expansion of the compound activities through participation in the company JEVSA in Barcelona. One year later: Expansion of the roller manufacture activities through participation in LIGUM in Jablonec/Czech Republic.

1993 Start of a new production operation in Lisbon/USA for railway crossing panels.

1994 Start of production for tire retreading in Nilai/Malaysia in partnerships with Goodway Rubber Industries. Certification of the business according to the standards DIN ISO 9001 and 9002.

1996 Thermoplastic elastomers have been in development at Gummiwerk KRAIBURG since as early as the 1980s, which is also when the European market was tapped into. With the foundation of KRAIBURG Malaysia in 1996, the new, promising business area was developed in the Asian market as well.

1997 Ceremony for the 50th anniversary of Gummiwerk KRAIBURG. The most successful year since the company was founded, with a turnover of DM 300 million.

1998 Groundbreaking for the new social building.

1996 KRAIBURG (M) was founded in Malaysia

INTERNATIONALIZATION AND SPIN-OFF COMPANIES – the 2000s

INTERNATIONALIZATION AND SPIN-OFF COMPANIES

Amid the constant expansion of the individual business areas, independent companies were formed and spun out from Gummiwerk KRAIBURG. The business in Asia was further expanded with the opening of sales offices in Korea and China. To reinforce the strength of the KRAIBURG brand and create synergies, the various business areas and independent companies were grouped together under one parent company – KRAIBURG Holding.

2000 Opening of the sales office in Korea.

2000 Foundation of KRAIBURG TPE.

2001 Assembly of the new mixer line 5 – GK 320 E.

2002 Opening of the sales office in China. Spin-off of the roller division from Gummiwerk KRAIBURG, which became its own company, KRAIBURG Walzenfertigung, in Geretsberg.

2003 Foundation of STRAIL France SAS in France. Construction of a new shipping building for Gummiwerk KRAIBURG.

2005 The foundation stone was placed for the production site for rubber compounds in Suzhou/China, KRAIBURG Rubber (Suzhou).

2005 Foundation of KRAIBURG Holding GmbH & Co. KG as the parent company of the KRAIBURG Group with the different companies organized into divisions. Gummiwerk KRAIBURG becomes part of division K.

2007 Inclusion of rubber compound producer KRAIBURG Bulgaria in Novi Iskar/Bulgaria in division K.

2009 Expansion of the production facilities by one production line, and purchase of a new roller head line which can be used to produce very high-quality rubber sheeting.

FOCUSING ON CORE COMPETENCES AND EFFICIENCY IN DIVISION K – the 2010s

FOCUSING ON CORE COMPETENCES AND EFFICIENCY IN DIVISION K

As a result of the various selected focus points, the Gummiwerk further expanded its production options and invested in new machines. After the global financial crisis at the end of the 2000s, the company recovered and 2014 was registered in the books as the year with the highest turnover so far. As well as a vast number of investments, increased focus was placed on sustainable improvements to the company’s energy efficiency through a systematic energy management plan. In 2013, certification according to DIN EN ISO 50001 was obtained.

2014 Replacement of the 1500 calender with the new 1600 calender after over 40 years. Commissioning of a co-generation plant for an environmentally friendly and efficient supply of energy.

2015 The first photovoltaic system for our own electric energy production was fitted to the roof of the new hazardous substance warehouse.

2016 Commissioning of a new rubber strainer for producing compounds with extremely high purity, and the replacement of an old silicone extruder.

2017 Realization of a significantly more energy efficient cooling concept using groundwater cooling for the production halls and warehouses.

2018 Launch of a fully automated small component weighing station.

NEW STRUCTURE AND STRONG PARTNERSHIPS - the 2020s

NEW STRUCTURE AND STRONG PARTNERSHIPS

Founded 75 years ago as a small mixing company, Gummiwerk KRAIBURG has now made a name for itself in the area of rubber compounds. The company develops and produces individual solutions to meet the demands of today and tomorrow. Gummiwerk KRAIBURG’s compounds impress thanks to their consistently high quality and reliability.

In its effort to stay abreast of future trends, the company relies even more on proven success factors – the expertise of the staff and strong partnerships.

2021 Support of sustainable technologies by commissioning charging stations on company premises.

In 2015, the first photovoltaic system for own power production goes online

2018 A fully automated small component weighing system goes into operation

75 Years KRAIBURG – The Anniversary Logo

KRAIBURG is a family business with tradition for 75 years, always in tune with the times and continuous development. The 75th anniversary logo celebrates the great success of the company with the ability to innovate, adapt and improve.