Cologne roller pioneer is 300: The success story of the Hidden Champions

Cologne roller pioneer is 300: The success story of the Hidden Champions

Köln-Braunsfeld, Deutschland - The Felix Böttcher GmbH & Co. KG, a traditional company in Cologne-Braunsfeld, recently celebrated its 300th anniversary. On this occasion, the Mayor of Cologne Henriette Reker received the managing directors Franz-Georg and Max Heggemann in the historic town hall. The two ceremoniously contributed to the city's guest book and were recognized for their significant contribution to industry. Böttcher, referred to as Hidden Champion of the German economy, is one of the 30 oldest family businesses in Germany and is worldwide in the manufacture of rollers that are coated with elastomers.

The company supplies 70 percent of the first equipment for printing machines globally and is also used in plastic, paper, metal and wood processing. In addition, Böttcher produces handrails for escalators and rubber compounds for pharmacy, medicine and sport. With around 2000 employees in 38 countries and 27 production locations, the Böttcher Group confirms its international presence and innovative strength.

a company with history

The roots of Felix Böttcher GmbH go back to 1725 when the tanner Johannes Jacobus Lohsen founded a business in Cologne. In 1910, the Cologne -based company merged with the work of Felix Böttcher in Leipzig. After the destruction of the production facility in Cologne during the Second World War, the company's return began in the post -war period. Max Heggemann will soon become the sole managing director and emphasize the advantages of the Cologne location. Qualified specialists in the chemical industry are an important advantage that the company uses.

Nevertheless, the company also sees challenges. Heggemann perceives increased energy prices, grown bureaucracy and conflicts through residential buildings near commercial space as "serious challenges". Despite these difficulties, the company remains optimistic and continues to focus on research and development to assert its market position.

The role of the hidden champions

The importance of the hidden champions, which also includes Böttcher, is enormous for the German economy. These companies are internationally leaders in their niches and achieve annual sales of less than 5 billion euros. They are often in the background, but produce considerable success and innovation. The term "hidden champion" was shaped by Hermann Simon in 1990 and characterizes companies with high specialization, innovative strength and long -term growth perspectives.

• meaning of the hidden champions for the economy:
  • Creation of numerous jobs and good training programs.
  • Promotion of new technologies and solutions.
  • Strengthening competitiveness towards large corporations.
  • Contribution to environmentally friendly production methods.

Overall, the history of Felix Böttcher GmbH shows how tradition and innovation can go hand in hand. It is to be hoped that the company will continue to play a pioneering role for industrial development in Cologne and beyond in the future. Further information about the company is on ksta.de as well [sustigen-produktion.de] (https://nachthaltigen-produktion.de/hidden-champions-der-deutschen-wirtschaft- Unterschaetzte- success stories/) available.