Tradition and Innovation

ZOLLERN was founded in 1708 by Prince Meinrad II of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen, which makes it the oldest family-owned company in the state of Baden-Württemberg (Germany). Today the company is owned by the eleventh generation of the Hohenzollern family. The original plant has advanced to become a state-of-the-art metal processing group with strong roots and expertise.

1700

1708

Foundation of the Fürstliche Hohenzollernsche Hüttenwerke by Prince Meinrad II of Hohenzollern in Laucherthal (where today's group is headquartered)

1800

1890

Bronze foundry goes into production

1900

1935

Beginning of plain bearing production

1950

Beginning of Investment casting production

1971

Beginning of rods and bars production

1972

Beginning of gearbox production

1976

Herbertingen plant begins production

1978

Beginning of special profile production

1984

First automation technology projects

1989

Dr. Adolf Merckle joins the group as an additional shareholding partner. The group now operates under the name Fürstlich Hohenzollernsche Werke Laucherthal GmbH & Co.

1991

Construction and start-up of investment casting plant in Portugal

1996

Takeover of BHW Braunschweiger Hüttenwerk GmbH, with its three plants in Germany and Brazil (plain bearings)

1997

Construction and start-up of the Chinese works in Tianjin under the name ZOLLERN Speed Reducer Company Ltd. (gearboxes)

1999

Takeover of Friedrich Blickle & Co. GmbH (cutting metalworking)

Takeover of Dorstener Maschinenfabrik AG (gearboxes)

2000

2003

Takeover of ZOLLERN Tlc. in Les Mureaux near Paris (plain bearings)

2003

Takeover of GMH Gleitlagerfabrik und Metallgießerei GmbH (plain bearings)

2004

Following the group's globalisation strategy, all the companies now operate under the ZOLLERN brand name.

2006

Takeover of Thyssen-Krupp Aluminiumfeinguss Soest GmbH & Co. KG (aluminium investment casting)

2007

ZOLLERN invests more than 100 million euros in new processes and technologies to increase its competitiveness.

2008

ZOLLERN breaks through the sales barrier of 500 million euros.

2014

ZOLLERN opens a subsidiary in India

2015

ZOLLERN extends the Drive technology business unit with the rotary table manufacturer 'Rückle'

ZOLLERN acquires 100% of Treibacher Auermet d.o.o. in Ravne, Slovenia

2019

ZOLLERN and Miba start their plain bearing joint venture

2021

Concentration on the core areas and sale of piston rod and shaft production

2024

Commissioning of one of the largest photovoltaic systems in southern Germany