Cologne roller pioneer turns 300: The success story of the hidden champion

Cologne roller pioneer turns 300: The success story of the hidden champion

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 signed the city's guest book and were recognized for their significant contribution to the industry. Böttcher, described as the hidden champion of the German economy, is one of the 30 oldest family businesses in Germany and is a global leader in the production of rollers coated with elastomers.

The company supplies 70 percent of the original equipment for printing machines globally and is also used in plastics, paper, metal and wood processing. Böttcher also produces handrails for escalators and rubber compounds for pharmaceuticals, medicine and sports. With around 2,000 employees in 38 countries and 27 production sites, the Böttcher Group reinforces 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 company merged with Felix Böttcher's factory in Leipzig. After the destruction of the production facility in Cologne during the Second World War, the company's resurgence began in the post-war period. Max Heggemann will soon become sole managing director and emphasizes the advantages of the Cologne location. Qualified specialists in the chemical industry are a significant advantage that the company uses.

However, the company also faces challenges. Heggemann sees increased energy prices, increased bureaucracy and conflicts caused by residential development near commercial areas as “serious challenges”. Despite these difficulties, the company remains optimistic and continues to rely on research and development to maintain its market position.

The role of hidden champions

The importance of the hidden champions, including Böttcher, is enormous for the German economy. These companies are international leaders in their niches and achieve annual sales of less than 5 billion euros. They are often in the background, but produce significant success and innovation. The term “Hidden Champion” was coined by Hermann Simon in 1990 and characterizes companies with high specialization, innovative strength and long-term growth prospects.

• Bedeutung der Hidden Champions für die Wirtschaft:
  • Schaffung zahlreicher Arbeitsplätze und gute Ausbildungsprogramme.
  • Förderung neuer Technologien und Lösungen.
  • Stärkung der Wettbewerbsfähigkeit gegenüber großen Konzernen.
  • Beitrag zu umweltfreundlichen Produktionsmethoden.

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